Europe’s largest waste tire pyrolysis plant comes online in the Netherlands

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On January 29, Circtec announced the official commissioning of the first phase of its large-scale thermal pyrolysis plant for waste tires, located in the Delta Zee chemical industrial park near Groningen in northern Netherlands. The first phase has an annual capacity to process 50,000 tons of waste tires. Dutch King Willem-Alexander personally attended the opening ceremony of the factory. Circtec announced that it will produce sustainable marine fuels under its own brand, Hupa, through thermal cracking and upgrading processes; these fuels can serve as recycled naphtha for plastics, polymers, and chemical raw materials, as well as high-quality recycled carbon black suitable for the production of tires, rubber, and plastic products. The factory can also produce tire pyrolysis oil, which is supplied as a sustainable raw material to petrochemical companies and refineries. The company stated that it plans to start the construction of Phase 2 of the factory later this year; Phase 2 will add new production units, raising the total recycling capacity to 200,000 tons per year. According to Circtec’s estimates, once the Delphzail plant is fully operational, its processing capacity will cover approximately 6% of the total amount of waste tires generated in Europe throughout the year. Currently, over 50% of waste tires in Europe are either sent to cement plants for incineration or exported to Asia for disposal. Currently, Circtec has entered into a long-term underwriting agreement with Bora Carbon Black, which will purchase the recycled carbon black produced by this facility for use in its flagship sustainable carbon black reinforcement product line, “Continua”. John Loudermilk, CEO of Bora Carbon Black, said at the inauguration ceremony of the new factory: “We will continue to deepen this partnership, share our technical expertise to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals, and contribute to building a more circular future.” ” The British energy giant BP has also underwritten the marine fuel, recycled naphtha, and tire pyrolysis oil of the Hupa brand produced by this plant. Investment firms Novo Holdings and AP Moller Holding announced in May 2024 that they had completed a financing round of 150 million euros for Circtec to support its development. Over the next few years, Circtec will pursue \"multiple factory projects\" on a global scale, with project models including self-funded operation as well as joint venture and licensing partnerships.