Neste, Borealis, and Covestro have joined forces to chemically recycle used tyres into high-quality plastics. This collaboration leverages advanced chemical recycling processes to convert end-of-life tyres into essential base chemicals, which are subsequently refined into high-purity polycarbonates. These recycled polycarbonates are poised to revolutionise the production of various automotive components, including headlamps and radiator grilles, thereby enhancing circularity within the plastics value chain.
The innovative recycling process begins with the liquefaction of discarded tyres, transforming them into a liquid form that serves as a precursor for further chemical processing. The resultant base chemicals are meticulously converted into polycarbonates that match the quality of virgin plastics derived from crude oil. This breakthrough ensures that the recycled plastics meet stringent industry standards, encompassing aspects such as paintability and crash safety, making them viable for use in a wide range of vehicle components.
Mercedes-Benz has already integrated these high-quality recycled plastics into their EQE and S-Class models. Notably, bow door handles and crash absorbers in these vehicles are manufactured using a blend of biomethane and pyrolysis oil derived from old tyres, rather than traditional fossil resources. The company plans to expand the use of this sustainable material in forthcoming models, including the EQE SUV and EQS SUV.
Chemical recycling, as demonstrated in this partnership, complements mechanical recycling and signifies a pivotal step towards maximising the reuse of recyclable scrap materials. This method not only reduces dependence on fossil resources but also has the potential to decouple high-quality plastic production from crude oil, promoting a more sustainable and economically beneficial manufacturing paradigm.
The pyrolysis of end-of-life tyres offers a myriad of environmental advantages compared to conventional disposal methods and the use of virgin fossil fuels:
In summary, tyre pyrolysis emerges as a highly sustainable recycling method. It curtails fossil resource usage, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, reduces air pollution, and minimises waste directed to landfills. By promoting circularity and providing viable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels and materials, tyre pyrolysis sets a new benchmark for environmental responsibility and innovation in the recycling industry.
Neste, Borealis, and Covestro have partnered to chemically recycle used tyres into high-quality plastics for automotive applications.
The process involves liquefying end-of-life tyres through chemical recycling, converting the liquid into base chemicals, and then further processing these chemicals into high-purity polycarbonates.
Recycled polycarbonates can be used to manufacture various automotive parts, such as headlamps and radiator grilles.
This method reduces the need for fossil resources and decreases greenhouse gas emissions by substituting pyrolysis oil for conventional fossil fuels. It also lowers particulate matter and pollutant emissions compared to tyre incineration and diverts waste tyres from landfills.
Yes, the recycled plastics meet stringent quality standards, including paintability and crash safety requirements, making them suitable for use in vehicle components.
Mercedes-Benz has incorporated components made from this recycled plastic in their EQE and S-Class models, including bow door handles and crash absorbers.
A combination of biomethane and pyrolysis oil from old tyres is used instead of raw fossil resources.
Mercedes-Benz plans to progressively increase the use of this sustainable recycled material in forthcoming models such as the EQE SUV and EQS SUV.
Chemical recycling complements mechanical recycling by providing a method to recycle materials that are difficult to process mechanically, thus maximising the reuse of recyclable scrap materials.
Tyre pyrolysis is environmentally friendly because it reduces fossil resource use, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, and waste going to landfills, while promoting circularity and providing sustainable alternatives to conventional fossil fuels and materials.
