Neste reports first processing of pyrolysis oil from tires

Espoo, Finland: Neste Corp. has processed pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tires into new feedstock materials, the group announced 22 April.

In a trial run at its refinery in Porvoo, Finland, Neste said it converted the pyrolysis by-product into “high-quality raw materials” for chemicals and plastics.

The pyrolysis oil was provided by Swedish supplier Scandinavian Enviro Systems (Enviro), noted the Espoo- headquartered group’s statement.

According to Neste, the “successful” processing run validates the suitability of chemical recycling for processing waste rubber and plastics materials.

The goal of Neste’s pilot run was to evaluate the potential of chemical recycling “to potentially broaden the pool of waste streams that could be processed into high-quality products.”

According to Neste, the composition of tires as a mix of several materials makes them difficult to recycle with mechanical recycling methods.

“Hence, there is a strong case for using chemical recycling to help keep valuable materials in circulation,” the Finnish group commented.

“The beauty of chemical recycling is that it can process hard-to-recycle [polymer] waste,” said Andreas Teir, who is in charge of Neste’s raw materials supply for chemical recycling.

“With discarded tires currently often facing a fate similar to plastic waste, we consider chemical recycling a valid addition when it comes to changing the linear life cycle of tires into a circular one,” added Teir.

Having previously concluded processing runs with liquefied waste plastic, Neste decided to invest into large-scale capacities for chemical recycling at the company’s site in Porvoo, Finland.

Due to be completed in 2025, the facilities are designed to process 150 kilotonnes per annum of liquefied waste from polymer-derived materials.

The project is part of the PULSE project, which is funded by through the EU Innovation Fund.

In a separate release, Enviro said the pyrolysis oil was delivered from its Åsensbruks, Sweden unit, which converts ELTs into raw materials, such as carbon black and oil.

“Neste’s test run further demonstrates the potential for our recovered valuable materials in addition to those already identified by our current customers,” said Fredrik Emilson, CEO of Enviro.

In mid-February, Enviro started the construction of its first full-scale tire recycling operation in Uddevalla, western Sweden.

Due for start-up in 2025, the facility is owned by a joint venture company that Enviro "formed together with Antin Infrastructure Partners and with the support of Michelin."

According to Enviro, the JV has already signed long-term supply deals for carbon black and oil from the facility, worth SEK2 billion (€172 million).

Among the customers, it noted, are major tire and oil producers, including Michelin, Nokian Tyres, H&R Group and Preem.

Image source: Neste