Michelin and Murfitts to build new tyre recycling plant in Britain
Michelin and Murfitts Industries are launching a new project aimed at obtaining raw materials for the production of new tire products from waste tires through pyrolysis.
As part of the project, Murfitts will build a tire recycling plant on the Michelin site in Stoke-on-Trent, England, and it is reported that the technologies developed by the British company will generate energy for the production of new tires, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by 1,500 tons per year. Additionally, recovered carbon black (rCB) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO) will also be produced.
Michelin intends to supply Murfitts with around 12,500 tons of waste tires (around 13.5 million units), and the new plant's capacity will be more than enough to recycle two tires from each of the 602,000 vehicles currently registered in Stoke-on-Trent and the entire county of Staffordshire.
Murfitts annually recycles approximately 20 million old tires, producing materials for a wide range of applications, such as sports surfaces and modified asphalt. In recent years, the company has developed technologies that allow raw materials to be obtained from waste tires, which can ultimately be used in the production of new tires, contributing to the development of a circular economy. At the new facility, these technologies will be used on a commercial scale, and the recovered carbon black can be used in the production of a wide range of products, such as new tires, and the pyrolysis oil can be used as an alternative fuel, reducing the need for primary oil.
According to Mark Murfitt, founder of Murfitts, the launch of the new plant will be a "breakthrough" for the industry, as the energy and materials obtained during tire recycling will be used to produce new tires.
"We've always believed that waste tires are a valuable resource, and we need to make the most of the materials they contain," he noted. "We've been developing our pyrolysis technology for several years, and the results show that we can now produce raw materials from old tires that in some areas are superior to their primary equivalent. The launch of the new plant will benefit the tire industry, as well as the regional and national economy, while reducing the environmental impact."
During the tire recycling process, steam will also be generated, which will be used at the Michelin plant. This will reduce the consumption of natural gas, which is currently used to generate steam needed for the vulcanization of tires.
"This is a truly exciting project that will reduce our environmental impact and at the same time help us maintain our competitiveness by reducing energy costs," said Christine Pelouquin, plant manager. "A lot of work has been done, and we look forward to starting our collaboration with Murfitts at our Stoke-on-Trent plant."
Maria Rötter, Managing Director and President of Michelin Europe North, added that "at Michelin, we see every problem as an opportunity for positive change, and the need to dispose of waste tires is no exception."
"As an innovative company and a pioneer in sustainable development, Michelin aims to change the way tires are treated at all stages of their life cycle. With our deep expertise and forward-thinking approach, we are creating a reliable ecosystem in tire recycling, opening up opportunities that were previously unavailable," she concluded.
The new plant is expected to be fully operational by the end of 2026.
Photo: Pete Stonier / Stoke Sentinel