Pyrolysis of end-of-life tires plays a critical role in advancing the circular economy by converting waste into sustainable resources such as recovered carbon black and low-carbon fuels.

In a recent press release, Automotive World magazine explores how the pyrolysis technique for recovering raw materials from waste can be utilized to recycle end-of-life tires.

The technology solutions used in the automotive industry need to undergo radical change. By reducing the carbon footprint created by users, it has become easier to produce electric vehicles with zero emissions; however, the production process still has a substantial negative impact on the environment.

Pyrolysis can help in closing the loop to make the automotive sector circular, reducing its environmental impact during car production.

According to a World Economic Forum analysis by Accenture, using circular methods would enable the automotive industry to cut carbon emissions from vehicle lifecycles by up to 75% and resource use by up to 80% per passenger-km by 2030 for an electric car. By mitigating pollution and waste accumulation, and protecting biodiversity, closing the loop will also minimize the industry’s ecological footprint. To accomplish these objectives, the automotive supply chain will need to adapt both upstream and downstream.

Tyres, as a source of recurring waste, can be critical to the industry’s circularity. Tyres pollute the environment throughout their lifecycle, from the non-renewable fossil fuels used in manufacturing to the difficulty of recycling waste tyres by conventional methods. Tyre components, such as synthetic rubber and virgin Carbon Black, are derived from petroleum. Carbon Black makes up over 20% of tyre mass; synthetic rubber content can be up to 25%, depending on the type, as truck tyres have less.

However, to avoid starting from scratch in its pursuit of circularity, the automotive industry can employ already existing technology from other sectors, such as pyrolysis. Raw materials recovered during the pyrolysis process can be used to manufacture new tyres, thus closing the loop for the tyre industry.

Only a few pyrolysis plants are currently in use in Europe. Various technologies are at different stages of development, and product quality is being standardized.

The demand for pyrolytic recycled products currently exceeds the supply, as major tire manufacturers strive to replace fossil-based components with sustainable alternatives and reduce emissions by 2050. Consequently, it is anticipated that the pyrolysis sector will experience rapid expansion in the years to come.

Circular Solutions Start with Tire Pyrolysis — Transform Waste into Wealth

Klean Industries’ advanced pyrolysis systems have been globally proven to convert scrap tires into high-value circular commodities, including recovered carbon black, pyrolysis oil, and steel. These materials are then fed directly back into the tire, plastic, and energy industries, thereby reducing waste and emissions.

Ready to make circularity a reality?

Partner with Klean to deploy modular or industrial-scale ELT pyrolysis systems that deliver both environmental and economic value.

Talk to a Circular Solutions Expert and start building a tire-to-resource economy with Klean Industries » GO.