To Recover Carbon Black From End of Life Tires: “Continental Concludes Deal with Pyrum Innovations”

大陆集团 and Pyrum Innovations AG , a leader in the thermolysis technology of end-of-life tires, have reached a long-term purchase deal for high-quality carbon black (rCB) that is recovered from these tires.

In the future, Continental plans to employ recovered carbon black in the mass manufacture of passenger car tires. Thus, the two businesses are stepping up their collaboration. In 2022, the high-end tire maker and Pyrum Innovations inked a development partnership. Since then, the two businesses have worked toward the same objective of expanding and improving tire recycling using pyrolysis.

An essential raw ingredient for the production of tires and other industrial rubber goods is carbon black. Tire stability, strength, and durability are all increased when carbon black is added to rubber compositions. Recovering carbon black from tires nearing their end of life adds to the decrease in CO2 emissions and the use of fossil fuels. Depending on the model, the soot level of a Continental passenger vehicle tire ranges from 15% to 20%, which gives the tire its black color. Continental is getting closer to its target of utilizing more than 40% renewable and recycled materials in its tires by 2030 with the use of recovered carbon black.

“The use of recycled raw materials in tire manufacturing is growing in significance. We must adopt a fresh perspective if we are to further expand the circularity of our products. The idea of "end-of-life" tires has to give way to "end-of-use" tires. This implies that a tire's planned usage period must stop and a new opportunity must begin. We are creating incredibly effective procedures with Pyrum to recycle as many parts and materials from an end-of-life tire back into our manufacturing cycle,” says Jorge Almeida, Head of Sustainability at Continental Tires.

Continental tires are already made of recycled components, which would otherwise frequently wind up in landfills or incinerators. These resources include recycled steel, recycled polyester from PET bottles, and recycled rubber from mechanically processed end-of-life tires.

The safe and high-quality recycling of tires and recyclable materials necessitates the use of cutting-edge technology and procedures for material separation, cleaning, and recycling. Safety is Continental's top priority.