PYROLYSIS FACTS AND STATS FOR RECYCLE WEEK 2022

As Recycle Week 2022 gets under way with the theme of ‘Let’s Get Real’ to ‘challenge perceptions and myths around recycling’, we take a look at some of the facts, stats and myths surrounding pyrolysis.

A scientific thermal process, which sees the decomposition of products to their original elements, pyrolysis is the technique that we are using to process end of life tyres in the UKs first continuous pyrolysis plant for this hard to recycle waste material.

Here’s top five things that you may or may not know about pyrolysis.

· Pyrolysis, by definition, is the thermal decomposition of organic (carbon based) materials through the application of low temperature heat. It is quite different to a combustion process and is therefore much more sustainable

· It has been around since ancient times when it was used to turn wood into charcoal

· Pyrolysis is a thermal process; products are not burned in any way at all!

· The pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres results in the production of tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) which can be used in the production of bio-fuel and other applications and a char, which can be used across a number of manufacturing processes.

· Pyrolysis when applied to the waste hierarchy, sits within Re-use, which is important, in that the process is entirely circular and produces only products that can be utilised further. No waste products are created through the process

Because the process is circular, it solves one problem without creating another, the perfect solution when dealing with waste of any kind.

To help the UK tackle its waste tyres issues, although clearly this technology can be deployed anywhere in the globe and adapted to be fully compliant with local regulations, these small-scale plants can be deployed in small warehouse units, reducing the need to drive waste tyres up and down the country to larger recycling facilities.

We believe that pyrolysis can revolutionise the way that we deal with end-of-life tyres, and we look forward to continuing the journey to challenge the myths and perceptions around this particular element of recycling and waste recovery.