“It provides a highly effective and ‘green’ way of dealing with used tyres. It is a project of global importance and with Teesside’s long history of expertise in petro-chemicals, it is only fitting that our business will be based here."

UK tyre recycling plant a technology leader

JAN 28 2009

England’s North East will soon see an £80 million tyre recycling facility that will be a European technology leader - and will create 90 local jobs.

Recycling company PYReco, based in London, has said that the plant should be operational in Teesside next year, and will recycle 7.5 million tyres – 60,000 tonnes – each year.

Plans for the facility, which will be based at the South Tees Eco Park in Middlesbrough, are still in the review process, but those supporting the project have expressed confidence it will be approved.

PYReco recycling involves a new process called pyrolysis, in which heat is harnessed degrade used tyres in a manner that avoids the production of harmful emissions or waste. Tyres have traditionally been difficult to recycle, and they have been burnt in cement kilns instead. The pyrolysis process breaks the tyres down into reusable components.

The PYReco chairman, Anthony Carter, commented: “This represents the conclusion of a long-lasting quest to find a viable solution to one of the UK and Europe’s most difficult recycling problems.”

Carter added: “It provides a highly effective and ‘green’ way of dealing with used tyres. It is a project of global importance and with Teesside’s long history of expertise in petro-chemicals, it is only fitting that our business will be based here.”

By recycle.co.uk