We recycle end-of-life tires into raw materials,
Or simply put: RETHINK RESOURCES
We develop technology for new material cycles
Pyrum develops and operates recycling technology for difficult-to-recycle waste streams. Since the company was founded in 2008, Pyrum has independently developed, planned, and built the necessary infrastructure—from its own laboratory to large-scale industrial recycling facilities. Using patented thermolysis technology, Pyrum recovers valuable raw materials from waste for industry, chemistry, and the circular economy. End-of-life tires represent the first large-scale application focus: from a complex waste stream, industrial secondary raw materials such as ThermoTireOil® and ThermoTireBlack® are produced. In this way, Pyrum transforms difficult-to-recycle waste into the starting point for new value creation and establishes the foundation for new material cycles.
The Process
WORN OUT, BUT FAR FROM THE END – FROM END-OF-LIFE TIRE TO RAW MATERIAL
Pyrum does not view end-of-life tires as waste, but as the starting point for new industrial material cycles. The process demonstrates how a problematic waste stream becomes valuable materials for new applications.
Delivery and Shredding
Approximately 20,000 tons of end-of-life tires* are delivered annually to the Pyrum facility in Dillingen/Saar. There they are initially stored and sorted. The tires are then shredded in the shredding facility, separating the rubber granulate from the steel and textile for further processing.
*a future standard facility will be able to recycle over 22,000 tons annually
Thermolysis
In the absence of oxygen, the rubber granulate is thermally decomposed. Solids and vapors are separated from each other, and valuable raw materials are recovered: ThermoTireOil®, ThermoTireBlack®, and gas.
Further Processing
The vapors produced during thermolysis are then condensed and separated into oil and gas. The gas is used to supply energy to the thermolysis facility, while ThermoTireOil® is returned to the chemical industry as a valuable raw material. The remaining solid (coke) is ground and pelletized into ThermoTireBlack® (TTB) and subsequently used in the production of new tires.
Industrial Application
The recovered raw materials are already being used in concrete applications: ThermoTireBlack®, for example, in Schwalbe bicycle tires such as the Green Marathon and in Continental Super Elastic solid tires for forklifts; ThermoTireOil® through chemical recycling in VAUDE outdoor apparel and Mercedes-Benz plastic components such as door handles; the separated steel wire is returned to the steel industry.
Partners
A CYCLE ONLY BECOMES COMPLETE TOGETHER
Industrial circular economy does not emerge in isolation. Pyrum works with partners from chemistry, the tire industry, mobility, and recycling to qualify the recovered materials and return them to industrial applications. Long-term collaborations combine technological development with concrete use cases and create the foundation for scalable material cycles.
CHEMISTRY IN THE LOOP
As part of the ChemCycling® approach, BASF uses ThermoTireOil® in its production. The recycled raw material is allocated to high-quality chemical products via a mass balance approach. Through long-term collaboration, post-consumer waste can be returned to the cycle.
From end-of-life tires to new raw materials for the tires of tomorrow
Continental uses ThermoTireBlack® recovered by Pyrum in tire production, returning recycled materials to the value chain. Continental’s subsidiary REG ensures the return of end-of-life tires from the market, creating the foundation for a closed material cycle. Together, Continental and Pyrum are advancing the development of recovered carbon black to continuously increase the proportion of recycled materials in tires and utilize resources even more efficiently.
Working together for more circular economy in bicycle tires
Schwalbe and Pyrum are working together to return used bicycle tires to the material cycle. As part of the Schwalbe Recycling System, collected bicycle tires are processed at Pyrum using pyrolysis. ThermoTireBlack®, among other materials, is recovered, processed, and then used again as a raw material for the production of new Schwalbe bicycle tires. Since 2022, over 2.6 million bicycle tires have been fed into the recycling cycle in this way.
Our Brand Ambassador
Felix Magath has supported Pyrum as brand ambassador and investor since 2025. Together, we pursue the goal of bringing the importance of industrial raw material recovery into greater focus for business, politics, and the public. The partnership combines technological innovation with entrepreneurial experience and demonstrates the contribution Pyrum can make to future raw material supply. Learn more about the collaboration →
“I am impressed by the combination of technological pioneering spirit, entrepreneurial consistency and social relevance.”
Felix Magath
We need companies like this to get back to the top of the world rankings.”
Projects
From facility to
international plant network
Pyrum continues to develop its technology from the reference site in Dillingen and is gradually building additional recycling capacity in Germany and Europe. Owned facilities through subsidiaries, partner projects, and external plant projects create the foundation for a growing network of industrial circular economy.
Bewege die Maus über einen Standort auf der Karte…
News
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Pyrum reaches next milestone: Plant purchase agreement signed for joint venture facility in the Czech Republic
First plant purchase agreement for an external Pyrum plant Joint venture secures bank financing and is now considered fully financed Pyrum provides key technology for the plant in Vresova Initial payment to Pyrum scheduled for the coming weeks Dillingen/Saar, August 14, 2026 – Pyrum Innovations AG (“Pyrum”, ISIN DE000A2G8ZX8) and the joint venture SUAS reTire…
Milestones
OUR IDEA WAS CONCEIVED IN A GARDEN ARBOR—
—THE PERFECT SETTING FOR EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.
Foundation
Pyrum Innovations ESC GmbH is founded from an idea by four friends in a 9 m² garden shed.
First Pilot Plant
Between 2008 and 2009, the company develops its first fully functional pilot plant at a 1:3 scale, which goes into operation in 2009.
Large-Scale Industrial Plant
The first industrial plant is completed and officially opened to the press. This is followed by the first test runs to verify the plant’s functionality.
Continuous Operation & Off-take Agreements
The thermolysis plant switches to continuous operation. From now on, thermolysis oil from the industrial plant is delivered to customers at regular intervals.
Site Expansions
Pyrum breaks ground for the site expansion at its headquarters in Dillingen/Saar. This is intended to significantly increase future recycling capacity.
Path to the Stock Exchange
In September 2021, Pyrum went public via a private placement on the Oslo Stock Exchange. In March 2022, this was followed by a listing in the Scale segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange – accompanied by the symbolic ringing of the stock exchange bell by Pascal Klein.
Breakthrough in CFRP Recycling
Pyrum achieves a breakthrough in recycling carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). In 2023, the R&D team succeeds for the first time worldwide in fully recycling CFRP. CFRP is found, among other things, in wind turbines and automotive bodies.
Joint Venture UniPyrum
Pyrum and UNITANK establish the joint venture UniPyrum for the construction of up to ten plants.
World’s Largest Grinding & Pelletizing Plant
The world’s largest grinding and pelletizing plant for rCB is being built at the headquarters in Dillingen.
FAQ
What is thermolysis?
In thermolysis, organic materials are decomposed at high temperatures in the absence of oxygen. Pyrum uses this process for recycling end-of-life tires, recovering oil, recycled carbon black, and the steel contained in the tire. Gas produced is also utilized within the process.
What distinguishes thermolysis from the incineration of end-of-life tires?
Incineration primarily focuses on energy recovery. Thermolysis, on the other hand, aims to recover the materials contained in end-of-life tires in the form of secondary raw materials and make them usable again. The process thus supports the development of more closed material cycles.
What is special about Pyrum technology?
After start-up, Pyrum’s thermolysis process can meet its energy requirements from the process gas generated during ongoing operation. According to a life cycle analysis conducted by Fraunhofer in 2022, the examined Pyrum process achieves a net CO₂ saving of up to 965 kg CO₂ equivalent when processing one ton of end-of-life tires, including heat utilization.* At the same time, high-quality raw materials are produced that can be used again in industry.
* Source: Maga, D.; Aryan, V.; Blömer, J. (2022): Comparative Life Cycle Assessment of End-of-Life Options for End-of-Life Tires; Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT. Variant examined: Pyrum pyrolysis process including heat utilization.
Can Pyrum thermolysis also be used for other waste streams?
Yes. Pyrum thermolysis technology is not limited to end-of-life tires and can in principle also be used for other suitable waste streams. Pyrum continuously researches new feedstocks and corresponding application possibilities.
In 2023, Pyrum succeeded for the first time in comprehensively recycling carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP), opening up another application area for thermolysis technology.
Who can deliver end-of-life tires to Pyrum?
Pyrum accepts end-of-life tires from both private individuals and commercial customers for proper processing. Delivery to our facility in Dillingen/Saar is only possible by prior appointment. All requirements can be found in our current acceptance criteria.
Delivery times:
• Commercial customers: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–3:00 PM
• Private customers: Friday, 12:00 PM–3:00 PM
For questions and appointments, please contact us at entsorgung@pyrum.net or +49 6831 959 48 0.
For individual quotes and larger quantities, please contact sales@pyrum.net.