Recent developments
Tire recycling scale-up
Lummus Technology invested in InnoVent Renewables to accelerate deployment of tire pyrolysis, building on its 2025 role as exclusive global licensor. InnoVent’s Monterrey unit processes up to one million passenger tires per year, producing tire pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black. The investment targets capacity growth and global rollout of an end‑to‑end solution from pre‑processing to purification.
Biobased butadiene progress
The BioButterfly project confirmed industrial robustness for producing biobased butadiene from first- and second‑generation bioethanol at Bassens. The butadiene has been converted into BR and SBR meeting polymer specifications, supporting drop‑in use in tires. R&D is nearing completion, with technology homologation targeted by mid‑2026 to enable commercialization.
Wood-based chemicals start-up
UPM’s Leuna biorefinery began commercial production of wood‑based chemicals, achieving stable separation of lignin and sugars to make renewable glycols and functional fillers. Output is planned to reach 220,000 tpa, with additional products expected by H1 2026. The facility aligns with EU decarbonization strategies and broadens renewable inputs for multiple value chains.
Combined industry view
The period featured investment and global licensing activity in tire pyrolysis, demonstrator‑validated biobased butadiene already polymerized into BR and SBR, and the start‑up of a large wood‑based biorefinery in Europe. Key dated milestones are homologation targeted by mid‑2026 for biobutadiene and additional Leuna products planned by H1 2026.