TRS & LD Carbon sign MoU for tyre recycling plant

Korean waste treatment and raw material recycling company LD Carbon and Switzerland’s Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to set up a facility in South Korea. This plant will process end-of-life tyres (ELTs) into TyreXol rubber powders using the TRS Water Pulse process. LD Carbon will utilise ELTs not processed into TyreXol to produce tyre pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black products whose quality has already passed various global tyre manufacturers’ assurance tests for commercial adoptions.

The partners anticipate that the new endeavour will enable them to “crystallise major technical and commercial synergies” as well as provide TRS with production capacity to meet “pressing demand” from its customers in Asia. The plant will initially process 25 ktpa of ELTs, yielding a volume of 5 ktpa TyreXol Water Pulse powder, a material that has already passed quality assurance tests from global end customers such as tyre manufacturers.

Complementary technologies

“We have been screening many companies globally which could enhance our product range and further differentiate the value-in-use which we bring to tyre manufacturers,” comments Baek Seong-Mun, chief executive officer and co-founder of LDC. “We are thrilled to collaborate with TRS. Not only are our technologies complementary, but they have a deep understanding of the market, and we share the same ethical and professional values.”

“This collaboration is very important for developing additional real circular solutions for the tyres and rubber industries,” adds Staffan Ahlgren, chief executive officer and co-founder of TRS. “The collaboration is born from months of discussions which helped us develop a deep mutual respect. It will be an accelerating step enabling us to supply Asian clients regionally and focus on our water-jet technologies in priority.”