- The agreement focuses on transforming end-of-life tyres into new ones using pyrolysis to produce tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO).
- BB&G's commercial TPO plant in Fatima, Portugal, began operations on July 15, 2024.
- Versalis will integrate BB&G's pyrolysis oil into its supply chain to produce circular elastomers.
- Bridgestone plans to use these elastomers for tyre production by early 2025.
Partnership Overview
Bridgestone EMEA, Grupo BB&G, and Versalis have signed an agreement to create a closed-loop ecosystem for recycling end-of-life tyres into new ones. This collaboration aims to enhance sustainability in the synthetic rubber business by maximizing the lifecycle of tyres.
Pyrolysis Technology
The process involves transforming end-of-life tyres into tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) through pyrolysis. This oil will be used to produce high-quality elastomers comparable to traditional feedstock, facilitating the production of new tyres. The partnership seeks to advance pyrolysis technology and scale the market for these polymers as a circular resource.
BB&G's Role
BB&G has developed a thermomechanical pyrolysis process and has operated pilot plants over the past decade. Its first commercial-scale TPO production facility in Fatima, Portugal, began operations on July 15, 2024. This plant will supply oil to Versalis for manufacturing circular elastomers, which Bridgestone will use to produce a batch of tyres by early 2025.
Versalis' Contribution
Versalis, Eni's chemical company, is integrating BB&G's pyrolysis oil into its supply chain, expanding its Balance® product range. The company focuses on polymer recycling and diversifying feedstock with renewable sources and secondary raw materials.
Future Goals
The collaboration aims to establish a successful ecosystem for large-scale recycling of end-of-life tyres. The companies will work together to research and implement the best technical solutions to achieve this goal, contributing to their environmental objectives.
