VTTI has entered into an agreement with Pyrum Innovations AG to develop a state-of-the-art waste tyres recycling thermolysis plant at VTTI’s Antwerp terminal (ATPC) in Belgium. This agreement marks a significant step towards integrating sustainable waste management solutions into VTTI’s infrastructure and marks another important step in Pyrum’s international expansion plans.
The project entails the construction of a waste tyre recycling thermolysis plant with a processing capacity of up to 90,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres (ELT) annually, implemented in two phases of 45,000 tonnes each. VTTI will hold full ownership of the plant, while Pyrum will act as the development partner, providing its proprietary and patented thermolysis technology. Following a comprehensive evaluation, Pyrum was selected as the development partner due to its advanced, proven thermolysis technology and successful track record of industrial-scale operations in Europe.
Guy Moeyens, CEO of VTTI says: ‘This collaboration with Pyrum marks a significant step in our journey towards a more sustainable future. By integrating cutting-edge thermolysis technology into our existing infrastructure, we are not only diversifying our energy portfolio but also contributing to the circular economy. This project reflects VTTI’s commitment to innovation and responsible energy solutions, reinforcing our role in the transition towards a greener and more sustainable energy landscape.’
The thermolysis process will transform waste tyres into valuable by-products, including tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) and recovered carbon black (RCB). By leveraging its existing infrastructure and expertise, VTTI aims to facilitate the transition to a circular economy while enhancing the sustainability of industrial side streams.
Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG comments: ‘The collaboration with VTTI marks the next important milestone in modern tyre recycling and offers great potential for the future. We are very proud of the trust placed in us and our technology. With the construction of our largest Pyrum recycling plant to date, which will have a capacity of up to 90,000 tonnes of ELTs per year, we are collectively making a strong statement for the circular economy in Europe.’
The new plant will be situated at ATPC within the Port of Antwerp and Bruges (PoAB), one of Europe’s key industrial hubs and home to the largest integrated chemical cluster in Europe. VTTI Antwerp’s strategic position within the PoAB ensures connectivity through an extensive pipeline network and proximity to both upstream and downstream industrial hubs. Furthermore, the location provides close access to Europe’s largest ELT markets, including Germany, the UK, and France, making it an ideal site for a large-scale recycling initiative.
