Transforming waste into resources

Pyrum thermolysis: sustainable raw materials and energy from used tyres and waste

Transforming waste into resources

Pyrum thermolysis: sustainable raw materials and energy from used tyres and waste

We’re exhibiting at Tire Technology Expo

Hanover, March 19, 20 & 21, 2024

Siemes Ag /​Pyrum Innovations AG
Booth no. 8058

An interactive explanation of the thermolysis process

The thermolysis process

Pyrum logo white

“The purest form of madness is to leave everything as it is and at the same time hope that something will change.” (Albert Einstein)

Pyrum Innovations AG

Pyrum Innovations AG is a forward-​looking recycling and plant engineering company based in Dillingen/​Saar (Germany).

We develop, build and operate innovative recycling plants based on our globally patented, unique thermolysis process. These allow us to recover high-​quality raw materials from used tyres, rubber and plastic waste in an environmentally friendly way and return them to the materials cycle. The secondary raw materials obtained include thermolysis oil with REACH certification and recovered carbon black (rCB).

The innovative thermolysis recycling systems are marketed worldwide and supplied to Pyrum’s contract partners.

In September 2020, BASF BASF acquired a stake in Pyrum Innovations AG as part of its – ChemCyclingTM-Pyrum Innovations AG and guarantees the purchase of the thermolysis oil produced both in its own plants and in the plants of its contractual partners.

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Pyrum Partner

Technology 

Pyrum thermolysis: this unique, patented process involves the thermal decomposition of organic substances or rubber and plastic waste in the absence of oxygen. 

Solutions 

Customised recycling solutions for used tyres, rubber and plastics: the Pyrum Innovations Group develops and builds innovative thermolysis systems for the efficient recycling of rubber and various plastics. 

Environment 

Mission ‘used tyres’: used tyres that are illegally disposed of in the countryside or incinerated cause major environmental damage. We recycle used tyres and transform them valuable secondary raw materials in an environmentally friendly way and so ensure that they stay in the material cycle. 

Advantages of Pyrum thermolysis technology

Autonomous energy supply 
72% CO2 savings 
Flexible modular design 
Recovery of raw materials 

Latest news

Pyrum Innovations AG places cash capital increase with a total volume of around EUR 10.0 million
Pyrum Innovations AG carries out a cash capital increase from authorised capital with exclusion of subscription rights
Pyrum Innovations AG resolves cash capital increase from authorised capital with exclusion of subscription rights

The Pyrum concept

Pyrum Innovations AG was founded back in 2008, the brainchild of four friends, and was initially based out of a 9 m² garden shed. Today we are one of the leading thermolysis companies with worldwide patents.

Since the company’s foundation, we have developed, planned and built everything ourselves – from our own laboratory to the large-​scale industrial recycling plant. We have already overcome the biggest hurdles on our path to becoming the global market leader.

Pyrum’s story proves that nothing is impossible as long as you believe in yourself and your cause. To the surprise of many doubters, we have successfully implemented the thermolysis process on an industrial scale. As the saying goes: ‘Everyone said it was impossible, then someone who didn’t know that came along and just did it.’

We will remain true to our values in the future, think outside the box and develop new solutions in order to make a contribution to improving the Solving the world’s waste and environmental problems.

The Executive Board

Pyrum’s partners in plant engineering

1. recycling of used tyres

Environmentally friendly tyre recycling

New raw materials are obtained from old tyres using the patented pyrum thermolysis process: In addition to steel wire and fabric fibres, mainly Oil, gas and carbon – energy self-​sufficient and environmentally friendly. Compared to the used tyre disposal mix in Germany, this means that 72 % CO2 saved (according to the Fraunhofer UMSICHT study 2022).

2. shredding the used tyres

Shredding three tonnes of used tyres per hour

The used tyres are first shredded. The Pyrum plant in Dillingen has a capacity of three tonnes of used tyres per hour.
Fabric fibres and Steel wire are filtered out and added to the
production cycle of the industry.

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3. filter out steel wire

Pyrum steel wire: sustainable raw material for the steel industry

One tonne of used tyres can be turned into up to 750 kg Pyrum steel wire filtered out. By post-​treatment of the steel wire, Pyrum achieves a Purity of over 96 per cent. The wire can be purchased at the current mixed steel scrap price.

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4. filter out fabric fibres

Pyrum fabric fibres: Sustainable raw material for the construction industry

Three tonnes of used tyres are turned into up to 300 kg Pyrum tissue fibres filtered out. These are used as a valuable secondary raw material for the production of new Insulation material for the construction industry.

5. pyrum rubber granules

Pyrum rubber granulate: the material for top recycled products

The rubber granulate produced using the pyrum thermolysis process is a valuable and sought-​after secondary raw material for the production of sustainable recycled products that meets the highest standards. The granulate is available in four different grain sizes from 1 to 6 mm for different applications and almost every customer requirement.

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6. thermolysis of the tyre rubber

Pyrum thermolysis: Sustainable raw materials from tyre rubber 

Three tonnes of used tyres are turned into up to 2,100 kg Rubber filtered out. The granulated rubber (grain size 12 mm) is fed to the thermolysis process in the patented Pyrum vertical reactor. In the process, the rubber is Steam and Solid (coke) separated. In the process, sufficient Energy for the self-​sufficient operation of the system.

With pyrum thermolysis, in addition to Exhaust and heat energy valuable Raw materials for the sustainable manufacture of new products:

7. pyrum thermolysis oil

Pyrum thermolysis oil: Sustainable raw material for the chemical industry

The vapours generated during pyrum thermolysis are condensed and stored in Permanent gas and Thermolysis oil separated. Pyrum thermolysis oil is a unique crude oil that is produced to the highest quality and consistent grade.

The REACH-​certified recycled oil is used as a raw material in various industries: chemical industry, refineries, carbon black production (CB) etc.

Practical applications

Pyrum thermolysis oil is used, for example, in combination with biomethane as a raw material in the production of virgin plastics for Mercedes-​Benz vehicle components.

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Pyrum thermolysis oil is used, for example, as a raw material for the production of polyamide for Outdoor clothing from the VAUDE brand used.

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8 BASF relies on pyrum thermolysis oil

BASF relies on pyrum thermolysis oil

The Chemicals group BASF has invested in Pyrum Innovations AG as part of the ChemCycling™ project. With the REACH-​certified thermolysis oil, BASF is securing a Pioneering source of raw materials and at the same time improves its own carbon footprint. BASF is already using the oil at its Ludwigshafen site for new plastics for the production of Vehicle components from Mercedes-​Benz.

9. pyrum thermolysis permanent gas

Pyrum thermolysis permanent gas: energy self-​sufficient operation

A special feature of the patented Pyrum thermolysis process is that after starting up the system once with external energy, sufficient energy is generated by the gas obtained in the condensation process to enable the system to operate independently. A surplus of energy is even generated, which can be sold on as thermal or electrical energy.

10. pyrum thermolysis coke (carbon black)

Pyrum thermolysis coke (carbon black): High-​tech raw material

The coke produced in the pyrum thermolysis process can be used unground, with a grain size of up to 4 mm, as a soil improver, substitute fuel or filler. However, a large proportion of the pyrum thermolysis coke is used for the production of recovered carbon black (rCB).

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11. pyrum-​recovered carbon black (rCB)

Pyrum-​recovered Carbon Black (rCB): The raw material for new tyres

Through further processing in a grinding plant, Pyrum produces high-​quality recovered carbon black (rCB), which is an increasingly sought-​after raw material in the tyre industry for the production of sustainable new tyres. This closes the material cycle sustainably. Pyrum-​recovered Carbon Black (rCB) can be supplied in ground form in sizes from 7–36 µm.

Practical applications

The recovered carbon black (rCB) obtained from the rubber of old bicycle tyres using pyrum thermolysis is fed back into the manufacturing process for new bicycle tyres.

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In the medium term, the particularly high-​quality pyrum carbon black (rCB) is to be used for Continental’s tyre production.