Helm to exclusively market Black Bear recovered carbon black  

Eindhoven, The Netherlands – German chemicals distributer Helm AG has reached an exclusive, long-term supply agreement with Black Bear Carbon to introduce and distribute the company’s recovered carbon black (rCB) in the market.

As part of the agreement, Black Bear expects to produce 12 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of rCB from waste tires at its flagship plant in Geleen, The Netherlands, by the second half of 2023, the waste tire pyrolysis company announced 27 Aug.

The two companies will then jointly introduce the product to industrial clients. 

Black Bear will share its knowledge in product and application development with Helm, while the German distributor will provide its supply chain know-how and commercial expertise.

The partners expect to extend the cooperation as Black Bear progresses with its future expansion plans. 

According to Black Bear, once operational, the Geleen plant can help reduce CO2 emissions by 65ktpa compared to the production process of conventional carbon black.

“Society is confronted with a global challenge to drastically reduce CO2 emissions and implement carbon neutrality measures,” said Victor Vreeken, CEO of Black Bear. 

Black Bear, he added, is ready to start the global rollout of its technology for upcycling end-of-life tire rubber.

The Dutch tire pyrolysis company raised €7.5 million in May as part of a fundraising campaign for its €78-million flagship plant in Geleen, southern Netherlands.

The project is part of Black Bear’s plan to build a series of tire recycling units globally, as it recovers from a devastating fire that destroyed its first demo-plant in Nederweert in February 2019.