End-of-life tyre (ELT) recycler Pyrum Innovations has announced the first delivery of rCB to Ralf Bohle 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: “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 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.”