- Pyrum Develops First Automated, Semi-Industrial Recycling Plant for Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (CFRP)
- This marks the first time a company has successfully achieved comprehensive recycling of CFRP on a global scale
- Breakthrough Opens Up a New Market with Enormous Growth Potential
Dillingen / Saar, May 3, 2023 – Pyrum Innovations AG (“Pyrum,” the “Company,” ISIN: DE000A2G8ZX8), a pioneering company that sustainably recycles scrap tires using its globally patented, unique pyrolysis technology—has, after nearly four years of development, commissioned the first automated, semi-industrial recycling plant for carbon fiber-reinforced plastics (CFRP)—thereby achieving the world’s first comprehensive recycling of CFRP. The facility is located at the company’s main plant in Dillingen/Saar and will serve as the foundation for the construction of an industrial-scale plant.
This opens up another promising market for Pyrum in addition to the recycling of used tires. Fiber-reinforced composites, which include carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP), are used in a wide variety of sectors, including the transportation industry—specifically in the manufacture of passenger cars and commercial vehicles—as well as in aviation and public transportation. In addition, they are also used in the construction industry and in the electronics and electrical sectors. Due to their wide range of applications, a rapidly growing waste problem has emerged in recent years. Comprehensive recycling in the sense of complete material recovery of CFRP has not yet been possible. Disposal currently takes place via waste incineration or landfilling. Pyrum aims to make a decisive contribution to solving this problem in the future. Europe’s share of the global CFRP market, like that of the United States, is approximately 25%. Asia currently accounts for about half of the world’s CFRP volume.
Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG: “Pyrum is committed to developing and promoting a sustainable, circular economy. To that end, we intend to contribute not only through the recycling of scrap tires but also through the recycling of CFRP in the future. The commissioning of the first automated, semi-industrial plant is a milestone for the recycling industry and an important step for us on our path toward building the first industrial plant.”
The current Pyrum model has a capacity of 1 kg of CFRP per hour. In addition to the recovered fibers, the recycling process also produces pyrolysis oil, which Pyrum already sells profitably to the chemical industry as part of its scrap tire recycling operations. Investments in the plant to date total approximately 170 TEUR, with a large portion subsidized by government grants. In addition to Pyrum Innovations AG, a number of other partners are involved in the project (“Infinity”), which is led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Foundry, Composite, and Processing Technology (IGCV).
About Pyrum Innovations AG
Pyrum Innovations AG operates in the attractive market for recycling used tires with its patented pyrolysis technology. Pyrum’s pyrolysis process is energy self-sufficient and, according to the Fraunhofer Institute, significantly reducesCO2 emissions compared to current standard recycling methods for scrap tires—particularly compared to incineration in cement plants —and produces new raw materials such as pyrolysis oil, gas, and recycled industrial carbon black (recovered carbon black—rCB) from the waste used as feedstock. In this way, Pyrum closes the material cycle and pursues a sustainable business model. As a pioneer, Pyrum Innovations AG was the first company in the used-tire recycling sector to receive REACH registration from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for the pyrolysis oil it produces, back in 2018. This means the oil is officially recognized as a raw material that can be used in production processes. In addition, Pyrum has received ISCC PLUS certification for its pyrolysis oil and rCB. Both products are thus considered sustainable and renewable raw materials. Pyrum has also received ISO 14001 certification for its environmental management system and ISO 9001 certification for its quality management system. These achievements have also been recognized by international experts in the tire industry. For example, Pyrum was honored in the “Best Tire Recycling Innovation” category at the inaugural Recircle Awards and was nominated for the Saarland State Grand Prize for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises.
Contact
IR.on AG
Frederic Hilke
Tel: +49 221 9140 970
Email: pyrum@ir-on.com
Pyrum Innovations AG
Dieselstraße 8
66763 Dillingen / Saar
Email: presse@pyrum.net