Recyclatech signs first franchise deal for bacteria devulcanisation process

Various news sources have reported the February 15 signing of a franchise deal between Scotland’s Recyclatech Group and Spanish firm Biotyre. According to The Scotsman newspaper, Biotyre will build a pilot tyre recycling plant in Spain utilising Recyclatech’s bacteria driven devulcanisation technology, and in return from licence fees and royalty sales the Scottish firm will provide Biotyre with technical and scientific support, plus the bacteria used in the process. The half million pound pilot plant is being set up with a view to Biotyre establishing a full-scale commercial operation. Recyclatech itself intends to establish a facility of its own in Scotland, and The Scotsman reports company chairman John Pool as saying the company is “close” to raising the £1 million it needs for this. The Recyclatech plant will have the capacity to produce around 1,000 tonnes of recycled rubber per annum and it will be used to supply samples to companies interested in using the technology.

The Recyclatech Group was established in 2006 following the discovery of a means of devulcanising rubber using bacteria by researchers at Napier University in Edinburgh. In the process – which The Scotsman describes as being “not unlike brewing – bacteria is used to remove the sulphur added during vulcanisation. The fermentation process takes place in tanks held at 26 degrees Celsius, thus high amounts of energy input are not required.

“The agreement with Biotyre is the first milestone in creating a solution to this global issue and a major step forward for Recyclatech,” Pool commented. The value of the Biotyre deal has not been disclosed, however the Recyclatech chairman said “we will do very well out of it, and our shareholders will do very well out of it.” The agreement covers 14 countries and Biotyre will negotiate non-exclusive sub-licences for the use of Recyclatech’s intellectual property. Spain, Mexico and Brazil will be the initial subjects of Biotyre’s attention, and Pool disclosed that a further franchise with another company interested in Asian and Middle East markets is now being negotiated.