Latest news with #pyrolysis
Associated Press
19-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Pyrum Innovations AG and Thermo Lysi SA Sign Engineering Contract Worth Around EUR 2 Million
First engineering contract following the granting of a building permit Contract for the detailed engineering in the amount of EUR 2.2 million DILLINGEN, DE / ACCESS Newswire / May 19, 2025 / Pyrum Innovations AG ('Pyrum', the 'company', ISIN: DE000A2G8ZX8) and Thermo Lysi SA have signed an engineering contract in the amount of EUR 2.2 million. The contract marks an important milestone for the company, as it is the first engineering contract to be signed after a plant has been granted a construction permit. Pyrum will now begin the detailed engineering of the planned plant, which is expected to take six months. In parallel, Thermo Lysi SA is currently engaged in financing discussions, including talks about EU funding that could cover part of the total costs. Both companies have decided to initiate detailed engineering even before the final financing decision is finalised in order to prepare the next steps of the project development in a targeted manner. Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG: 'We are delighted that the project in Greece is moving to the next phase. It is a significant step and we are proud that our technology will help to relieve the burden on the Greek waste tyre disposal system.' At the beginning of January 2025, Thermo Lysi SA received approval to build a Pyrum plant for waste recycling using pyrolysis. Once the detailed planning has been completed, the internationally active Greek construction company Archirodon will adapt the documents to Greek law. The recycling plant will be built on a site around 140 kilometres north of Athens in the Livanates region. Pyrum plans to acquire a 15% stake in the project company's equity. Both companies currently expect project preparations of the first joint plant to begin in 2025. About Pyrum Innovations AG Pyrum Innovations AG has revolutionised the recycling market for end-of-life tyres. Since 2008, the company has been developing an innovative thermolysis technology that enables end-of-life tyres and plastics tob e recycled with virtually no emissions. The process can recover high-quality products such as thermolysis oil and rCB (recovered Carbon Black), which are used by renowned partners such as BASF, Continental and Schwalbe to manufacture new products. In this way, the company closes the material cycle and pursues a sustainable business model in line with climate targets. Since 2020, the first plant at the company's headquarters in Dillingen/Saar has been in continuous operation, and two further plants have been added as part of the site expansion in 2024. Thanks to respected certificates such as REACH and ISCC Plus, the products are high-quality, sustainable and renewable. Pyrum has already received multiple awards for its innovative solutions and continues to research potential waste streams. Contact us AG Frederic Hilke Phone: +49 221 9140 970 E-mail: [email protected] Pyrum Innovations AG Dieselstrasse 8 66763 Dillingen / Saar E-Mail: [email protected] SOURCE: Pyrum Innovations AG press release
Forbes
13-05-2025
- Science
- Forbes
Trash To Treasure - Can Waste Plastic Be Converted To Fuel?
Rubbish floating in Naifaru Harbour, Maldives, Indian Ocean, 25th January, 2015. Our ability to survive on the only known habitable planet has always involved adaptation and innovation. Carbon emissions and plastics, while central to our current way of life, have detrimental effects on our climate, ecosystems, and oceans. Emerging research suggests that converting plastics to fuel is possible, and innovative visionaries are actively seeking pathways for that potentially game-changing transformation. The 'So What?' A 2022 study published in Nature described energy recovery of waste plastics in diesel fuel through a process called pyrolysis. Their process produced fuel blends with less carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. What is pyrolysis? According to the USDA website, it is, 'The heating of an organic material, such as biomass, in the absence of oxygen.' It is done to break down things like biopolymers. The process may involve many phases, which are difficult to summarize in this type of format. For example, gasification is used to transform the carbon-based materials to gas. The USDA website went on to say, 'Because no oxygen is present combustion does not occur, rather the biomass thermally decomposes into combustible gases and bio-char.' By now, you are probably saying, 'Slow down Dr. Shepherd, too much science jargon flying around.' How plastic waste can be converted to fuel. Polymers are chemical substances used to in the manufacturing of plastics. Biopolymers are known to be a bit better for the environment because they are more biodegradable or biobased than synthetic versions. According to the website Our World in Data, 'Plastic production has sharply increased over the last 70 years. In 1950, the world produced just two million tonnes." By 2020 that number had grown to over 450 million tonnes.' Much of that plastic finds its way into our oceans, ecosystems, and landfills. That's where the concept of a circular economy is important. The Ellen MacArthur Foundation website noted, 'The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated…. Products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.' A 2022 paper published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials provides a critical review of where we are on plastic to fuel conversion. Wanting to learn more about the world of converting plastics to fuel, I reached out to a young innovator based in Georgia after learning about his work on The Weather Channel recently. Julian Brown is the founder of Naturejab and an innovator in the use of microwave pyrolysis of plastic waste. He is a also a 776 Climate Fellow, a program of the 776 Foundation that funds young people who want to 'build a better future.' Julian Brown wants to convert plastic to fuel using microwave pyrolysis. What's His Motivation? Brown told me, 'What motivated me was seeing the large plastic issue at hand throughout the world and not seeing any obvious solutions that were effective enough to make a difference.' He went on to share something that he experienced in high school that likely changed his life trajectory - a video of a turtle that had a straw in its nose. Brown said, 'It made me so upset that even though we are told that we are recycling plastic is clearly ending up in the oceans and landfills where it is affecting so many lives, including our own.' Brown wants to apply microwave technology to destroy plastic while hoping to create fuel products. Using microwaves and solar power generation, he is exploring ways to sustainably produce diesel fuel. This next generation innovator, who was recently featured on the Weather Channel, is not working in a university lab or corporate innovation center. He credits high school welding classes and his welding profession for providing the skillsets to build his first reactor. What's Next? Brown has received a $100,000 grant from Alexis Ohanian cofounder of Reddit and husband of Serena Williams, but he hopes to attract larger funding from a government agency or other funding sources to scale up his work. Brown is just enough to purchase alcohol legally, yet he is already engaged in the circular economy. Innovation does not appear ("poof") out of thin air. Research and development, at any scale, requires funding, experimentation, verification, failures, and persistent. It also takes passion, and I can tell Julian Brown has that too. My University of Georgia colleague Jenna Jambeck is a global scholar tackling the plastic waste crisis. In a landmark 2018 finding, she and colleagues revealed 90% of plastic had never been recycled. It remains to be seen if Brown can scale his effort up. It's certainly in our own best interests for him and others innovators to succeed given that daunting statistic. After all, there is no Planet B. Julian Brown's reactor system.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Synagro, CHAR Tech and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works Partner to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction
Synagro and Partners to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction, Syngas Recovery and Biochar Production BALTIMORE, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Synagro Technologies, Inc., North America's leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals, is pleased to present a commercial-scale pilot of CHAR Tech's pyrolysis process with CHAR Tech Solutions, a division of CHAR Technologies Ltd., a leading cleantech development and environmental services company, and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW). The demonstration will be held May 9, 2025, at the Synagro Back River Facility at the Baltimore City Back River Wastewater Treatment Plant as part of the Water Environment Federation's Residuals & Biosolids and Innovations in Treatment Technology Conference (RB/ITT25) being held at the Baltimore Convention Center May 6-9, 2025. Synagro, CHAR Tech and the Baltimore City Department of Public Works Partner to Test Commercial-Scale Pyrolysis Pilot for PFAS Destruction "We are excited to feature a demonstration of our commercial-scale pilot of Char Tech's pyrolysis process, leading the industry toward sustainable solutions by proactively addressing customers' future needs," said Pam Racey, Chief Commercial Officer, Synagro, and RB/ITT25 Conference Co-Chair. CHAR Tech's proprietary high-temperature pyrolysis (HTP) technology processes organic material into high-value renewable energy and bioproducts, such as a solid biochar and renewable synthetic gas – syngas. CHAR Tech's HTP system indirectly heats materials in the complete absence of oxygen, and with no oxygen, the material cannot burn and, therefore, should not cause odors. "This project represents a major step forward in tackling one of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time," said Andrew White, Chief Executive Officer, CHAR Tech. "DPW is proud to participate in this groundbreaking demonstration, which reflects our commitment to environmental leadership and forward-thinking innovation," said Director Khalil Zaied of the Baltimore City Department of Public Works. "By supporting cutting-edge technologies that address PFAS and turn waste into usable resources, we're taking meaningful steps to protect our environment – both for today's residents and for future generations of Baltimoreans." Between May 2025 and December 2025, Synagro and CHAR Tech Solutions will measure, test and evaluate the effectiveness of the HTP process to destroy PFAS chemicals from biosolids. About Synagro Synagro Technologies, Inc. is North America's leading provider of sustainable solutions for biosolids, organics and residuals. We offer a comprehensive suite of environmental services to help ensure water quality, support regenerative agriculture and promote circularity. With the most experienced team in the industry, Synagro leverages innovative technologies to help our customers to clean water, increase organics recycling and have a net positive impact on people and the planet. Visit to learn more.
