Pyrum setting up JV pyrolysis plant in Czechia

German end-of-life tyre (ELT) recycling specialist Pyrum Innovations AG plans to build a Pyrum pyrolysis plant in the Czech Republic together with a local energy company. This facility, located near the border with Germany, will have the capacity to process 20,000 tonnes of ELTs a year and is scheduled to start operations in 2025.

Pyrum has not named its new joint venture partner but shares that the firm, which is “active in the field of energy and circular economy,” already operates a power plant on the property and therefore possesses a gas turbine for converting gas resulting from the pyrolysis process into electricity. A subsidiary of this group of companies has signed a consulting contract with Pyrum to prepare plant approval documentation and submit the building applications.

“We are looking forward to this groundbreaking project,” states Pascal Klein, chief executive officer of Pyrum Innovations AG. “Using existing infrastructure to operate the new tyre recycling facility is an approach that fits perfectly with Pyrum’s commitment to sustainability. The plans also underline the progressive internationalisation of our company. Together with our partner, we will contribute to the circular economy and offer a sustainable solution for used tyre recycling in the Czech Republic.”

Capacity can double by 2027

The partners will establish a joint venture SPV (special purpose vehicle) for the construction and operation of the new facility, which Pyrum expects to hold a 30 per cent stake in. As part of the consulting contract, Pyrum will carry out the basic engineering and prepare parts of the approval documents for the new plant. As the plant site offers sufficient space for future capacity expansion, the partners are already designing the facility so that recycling capacities can be doubled by 2027.

The plant in the Czech Republic is Pyrum’s fifth pyrolysis project, after its main plant in Dillingen/Saar and joint venture Revalit GmbH plants in Germany and the announced projects with SUEZ recycling and recovery UK Ltd in the UK and Thermo Lysi SA in Greece.