Production cycle of bicycle tyres closed: Pyrum supplies recovered carbon black to Schwalbe to produce new bicycle tyres

• Series delivery of recovered carbon black (rCB) by Pyrum to Schwalbe has started
• Cycle of bicycle tyre production thus completely closed thanks to the "Schwalbe Recycling System" already initiated
• Sustainably produced bicycle tyres to be launched on the market in June 2023

Dillingen / Saar, 28 November 2022 - Pyrum Innovations AG ("Pyrum"), a pioneer in the sustainable recycling of end-of-life tyres (ELT) based on its patented, unique pyrolysis technology, announces the first delivery of rCB to Ralf Bohle GmbH with its Schwalbe brand. The rCB is obtained from used bicycle tyres that Schwalbe collects from specialist dealers throughout Germany with its "Schwalbe Recycling System". Subsequently, Pyrum with its pyrolysis plant in Dillingen takes over the mechanical processing as well as the pyrolytic recycling of the used tyres. Thus, Schwalbe is now starting production of the first bicycle tyre to use rCB completely. The tyre is to be presented in June 2023 at the world's largest bicycle trade fair Eurobike in Frankfurt and will then be available in stores.

Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG: "One of our declared goals is to achieve a circular economy concept for recycling used tyres in the medium to long term. Together with our partner, Ralf Bohle GmbH with its Schwalbe brand, we are now a big step closer to this goal in terms of bicycle tyres."

The rCB was delivered to Schwalbe as part of the commissioning of the pelletiser plant at the main plant in Dillingen. The pelletiser increases the transportability of the rCB and thus facilitates the further processing of the raw material. As a result, the rCB delivery volume can be increased significantly. In addition, the site's production lines 2 and 3 are expected to start operations in the first half of 2023 and significantly increase the processing capacity of ELT - including used bicycle tyres. The official operating permit for the expansion has already been obtained.

Already in July 2022, Pyrum and Ralf Bohle GmbH had presented the "Schwalbe Recycling System" for used bicycle tyres at this year's Eurobike trade fair. The system enables the holistic recycling of used tyres of all brands. For this purpose, Schwalbe has established a collection network so that used bicycle tyres can be handed in at all participating specialist dealers, which Schwalbe then collects and delivers to Pyrum.

Frank Bohle, Managing Director of Ralf Bohle GmbH: "The response to our Schwalbe Recycling system is overwhelming. After having started with around 50 participating specialist dealers at the beginning of the year, there are now already over 1,200 participants across Germany. Now we are starting production of the first bicycle tyre that uses Pyrum's rCB. In the medium term, we are pursuing the goal of producing all Schwalbe tyres from recovered carbon black and want to continue to lead the way as pioneers with our innovative recycling solutions."

For more information including an explanatory video and graphic on the technical process of the "Schwalbe Recycling System", please visit https://www.pyrum.net/en/solutions/bicycle-tyre-recycling/.

About Pyrum Innovations AG

Pyrum Innovations AG is active in the attractive recycling market for end-of-life tyres with its patented pyrolysis technology. Pyrum's pyrolysis process is energy self-sufficient and, according to the Fraunhofer Institute, saves significantly more CO₂ emissions than today's standard recycling processes for end-of-life tyres - especially compared to incineration in cement plants - and produces new raw materials such as pyrolysis oil, gas and recovered carbon black from the waste used as input materials. In this way, Pyrum closes the recyclable material loop and pursues a completely sustainable business model. As a pioneer, Pyrum Innovations AG was the first company in the end-of-life tyre recycling sector to receive REACH registration from the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) for the pyrolysis oil it produces. This means that the oil is recognised as an official raw material that can be used in production processes. In addition, Pyrum has received ISCC PLUS certification for the pyrolysis oil and the recovered carbon black. Both products are thus considered sustainable and renewable raw materials. These achievements have also been recognised by international experts in the tyre industry. For example, Pyrum won the Best Tyre Recycling Innovation category at the inaugural Recircle Awards and has been nominated for the “Grand Prix Mittelstand” (“Großer Preis des Mittelstandes”) from the German state of Saarland.

https://www.pyrum.net/en

About Ralf Bohle GmbH

Ralf Bohle GmbH is Europe's market leader for bicycle tyres with its Schwalbe brand. The family-owned company, founded in Bergneustadt in 1922, employs 193 people at Ralf Bohle GmbH in Reichshof and 61 employees in five subsidiaries in Europe and North America. Since 1973, Schwalbe has manufactured its tyres in cooperation with its Korean production partner Hung-A. In 1993, Hung-A relocated production from Korea to Indonesia, and in 2015 started up a second Schwalbe plant in Vietnam. Schwalbe and Hung-A are linked not only by a joint venture, but by a friendship that has lasted almost 50 years and is unparalleled in the industry.

Contact

IR.on AG
Frederic Hilke
Tel: +49 221 9140 970
E-mail: [email protected] 

Pyrum Innovations AG
Dieselstraße 8
66763 Dillingen / Saar
E-mail: [email protected]