Bolder Industries’ Antwerp plant: Meeting growing demand for sustainable raw materials

When it commences operations in 2024, the end-of-life tyre (ELT) processing facility that Bolder Industries, Inc. and three partners are setting up in the Port of Antwerp will be capable of processing approximately 3 million ELTs a year. This will, says Bolder, “dramatically increase” production volumes for BolderBlack and BolderOil to satisfy increasing market demand for these sustainable, circular raw materials in Europe and beyond.

The US-based circular solutions provider for rubber, plastics, and petrochemical industries announced on 3 November plans to set up its first facility in the EU together with Antea Group, Cyclops, and OSQB. The plant is to be located in the NextGen District of Belgium’s main port.

Partners considered multiple locations

The Antea Group was instrumental in helping Bolder identify its EU location and will support permitting moving forward. The partnership considered multiple European locations and selected the Port of Antwerp for its dedication to sustainability, partnerships with other circular organisations, access to canals and rail systems, and proximity to Bolder’s growing client roster.

“Bolder made a smart move by developing in this specific location near the largest petrochemical cluster in Europe – the multimodal transport possibilities, and the site’s focus on circular economy make it the ideal choice,” says Jan Parys, general manager of Antea Group Belgium. “We are pleased to guide Bolder Industries through the entire permitting process. It is yet another step towards building a sustainably growing port and a liveable city of Antwerp.”

Bolder Industries will base the Belgium facility’s design on its US plant in Missouri and its second, larger facility in Terre Haute, Indiana. Phase 1 of Bolder’s Antwerp location will house three reactors on site. The location will bolster Bolder Industries’ environmental savings by using 98 per cent less CO2 and 85 per cent less water and energy than traditional methods of virgin carbon black production while utilising 98 per cent of every scrap tyre.

Cyclops & OSQB

Cyclops was chosen as Bolder’s project management partner for its experience with industrial recycling facilities and commitment to a transition towards a climate-neutral society. “Our partnership with Bolder Industries, one of the first two companies to build on the Antwerp NextGen District, gives us the opportunity to make a difference as a company and work towards a better future,” says Ruth Van Hellemont, chief executive officer of Cyclops.

Bolder selected OSQB for the build-out of the site due to their ability to deliver architecture, structural engineering, and technical engineering disciplines under one roof. “The road to sustainable tyres is only possible if we move towards full recycling of tyre waste. We are excited to partner with Bolder in building the new recycling plants for Antwerp where we will apply BolderBlack-made rubber and plastics materials in the architectural concept, showcasing the versatility of the product,” states Tanguy Oosterlynck, founder of OSQB Architects.

Game changer for international clients

“Antea Group, OSQB, and Cyclops are the ideal partners to bring Bolder Industries Belgium to fruition. They’re as ambitious and committed to solving environmental issues as we are and they have proven success in building projects similar to ours—smoothly and effectively,” says Wim van Den Broeck, director of project development for Bolder Industries. Wim, a native of Antwerp, joined the Bolder team earlier in 2022, bringing experience in plastics pyrolysis and deep expertise in local development and logistics from his work on infrastructure projects in the city of Antwerp and industrial projects in the Port of Antwerp.

“The Bolder Industries Antwerp location is changing the game for our international clients,” adds Tony Wibbeler, founder and chief executive officer of Bolder Industries. “Once operational, we can more easily serve our customers and expand our delivery to major markets, including EU-based tyre manufacturers. We’re eager to broaden our customers’ sustainable impact, grow our team internationally, and establish ourselves as a global circular solutions provider.”