PYReco to Build Heat Degradation Tyre Recycler

Tyre recycling firm PYReco plans to build a pioneering £80 million tyre recycling plant in North East England, the first of its kind in Europe. The scheme is underway thanks, in part, to the support of Renew, an organisation tasked with driving a low carbon and sustainability agenda with industry in the region.

The plant will be built at the South Tees Eco Park (STEP) in Tees Valley by 2010. It will use the relatively novel process of pyrolysis, a method of degrading material through heat, to recycle 60,000 tonnes of used tyres a year, the equivalent of 7.5 million tyres, without waste or harmful emissions. It is estimated that plant will create 90 jobs for the region.

Traditionally the uncompromising properties of the material have meant that tyres have been difficult to re-cycle, most often burnt in cement kilns. PYReco’s plant will provide a closed loop recycling route, breaking down used tyres into their component parts capable of being used in the production of brand new units.

Renew, a regional initiative that assists in facilitating and delivering commercial energy and environmental technology projects across the North East, attracted PYReco to invest in the region, sourcing a suitable site for the plant, assisting its planning application by supporting market, technical and environmental impact assessments, and brokering connections with investors and industry to build strong working relationships.

Anthony Carter, Chairman of PYReco commented; “We were initially looking at sites in Wales and London but with Renew we found an extraordinary ‘can do attitude’ and a team who fundamentally understood the technology and the issues we face. Renew acted as a link between ourselves and the North East community. Their support, guidance and understanding have enabled us to integrate into the region’s unique infrastructure as well as gaining an immediate understanding of its culture.”

John Barton, director at Renew, commented, “The North East is uniquely placed to attract investment for environmental projects such as these. Putting in place a closed loop system, creating value from waste products, whether material, heat or energy, not only has significant environmental benefits but also provides a sound economic base for businesses to operate on.”

Pushing market ready products to industry and encouraging adoption and implementation of new technologies from SME’s to heavy industry, Renew, a strategic component of the Centre for Process Innovation’s Low Carbon Energy business, seeks to embed best practice, provide consultancy advice and offers end -to – end support to customers. The organisation will have a key role in assisting in the region’s contribution to the UK emissions reduction target of 80 per cent by 2050. This plant and the re-use of the recovered materials in the manufacture of new tyres and components has the ability to displace 500,000 barrels of oil, 250 MW of generated electricity and save the UK 0.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.