Kal Tire & Mitsui partnering on mining tyre recycling

A new joint venture between Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group and Mitsui & Co. aims to advance tyre recycling solutions for mining regions around the world. Both partners recognise a growing demand for mining tyre recycling and recycled rubber products, specifically carbon black and recovered carbon black (rCB), and will thus collaborate on commercialising Kal Tire’s thermal conversion recycling facility in Chile from early 2023.

The plant in Chile converts scrap ultra-class tyres to their base elements of carbon black, oil and steel, reusing virtually 100 per cent of the tyre. Kal Tire describes the facility as providing a “foundation” as the joint venture pursues “opportunities to bring OTR tyre recycling solutions to mining regions around the world.”

The partnership will draw upon Kal Tire’s technology and service to mines, and Mitsui’s experience with chemical and engineering innovation, downstream markets and as a shareholder and stakeholder inside mining organisations.

Kal Tire’s thermal conversion mining tyre recycling facility in Chile (Photo: Kal Tire)

Reaching more mines quickly

“Mines are challenging themselves to demonstrate environmental stewardship, and yet in many regions, sustainable OTR tyre recycling solutions aren’t yet available,” says Dan Allan, senior vice president, Kal Tire’s Mining Tire Group. “Mitsui’s global reach, mining experience and commitment to affecting positive change gives us a path to scale solutions so we can reach many more mines much more quickly and help solve this enormous environmental challenge.”

A joint aim is to help companies understand the value of mining tyre recycling and act on ESG commitments. Allan comments that Kal Tire is seeing greater uptake from customers who are explore ESG, as well as more interest in carbon black solutions from manufacturers. “We’ve invested significantly in a solution at the top of the recycling hierarchy because we’re committed to solving our customers’ challenges, and Mitsui is the ideal partner to scale, evolve and invest in mining tire recycling so it can become a standalone industry that meets demand and inspires a greener future.”

Real & sustainable solution

Mitsui’s global operating segments include mineral and metal resources, chemicals, energy, iron and steel products, and machinery and infrastructure. The company is focusing its investment in the mining industry on environmental solutions.

“We are pleased to announce that Kal Tire and Mitsui will be starting a collaboration in the mining tyre recycling business,” says Hiroshi Kakiuchi, chief operating officer, Performance Materials Business Unit, Mitsui & Co., Ltd. “Waste tyres currently piled up at mining sites are becoming more urgent and increasingly an issue for mining companies these days, and we are proud to be able to provide a real and sustainable recycling solution together with our partner.”