Viva Energy has announced a tyre recycling facility earmarked for Melbourne.

According to the company, the facility would be able to process up to 80,000 tonnes of used tyres per year, resulting in landfill diversion while also contributing to the manufacture of lower-carbon fuels.

Viva Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Klean Industries, a Canadian resource recovery and advanced recycling business, to collaborate on a pre-feasibility study for the establishment of a tyre-recycling facility to recover sustainable resources.

The tyre recycling facility will extract three key products from tyres: recovered carbon black (rCB) used in the manufacture of new tyres, rubber products, and plastics; steel for metal recycling; and a biogenic pyrolysis oil which will be processed through Geelong Refinery to produce low-carbon intensity fuels.

Klean Industries is a global leader using advanced technologies to convert waste into valuable resources.

It specializes in recovering resources derived from end-of-life tyres, non-recycled plastics, and other waste materials.

In a media release, Viva Energy said it had selected Klean Industries as a partner due to its proven expertise and innovative recycling technologies, which align with its commitment to sustainability and establishing a circular economy.

Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer Lachlan Pfeiffer said this project marks a critical step in the Geelong Refinery’s potential new role.

“This partnership with Klean Industries is an important development for Viva Energy as we continue to explore new pathways to a more sustainable future for our refinery,” he said.

“By transforming end-of-life tyres into valuable resources, we are reducing waste and pioneering new paths for low-carbon fuel production. This project demonstrates our determination to develop a circular economy and deliver environmental and economic benefits for the community,” said Pfeiffer.

Klean Industries Inc CEO Jesse Klinkhamer said the strategic partnership with Viva Energy would effectively address the end-of-life tyre crisis in Australia.

“Together, we are poised to transform used tyres into sustainable products that fulfill the growing demand for sustainable low-carbon fuels and raw materials,” he said.

“Together, we are making a difference and leading the way towards a more sustainable future.” Viva Energy is importing to the Geelong Refinery a shipment of tyre pyrolysis oil produced using Klean’s innovative technology.

This is an essential step in proving the processing of tyre pyrolysis oil at scale in the refinery and is another significant milestone in Viva Energy’s co-processing trials, demonstrating the company’s commitment to creating lower-carbon fuels and products.

If this project proceeds, it will expand the suite of alternative feedstocks utilized at the refinery through co-processing, cementing the facility’s role in Australia’s circular economy and reducing waste going to landfill.

Over the last two months, Viva Energy has announced several innovative projects to utilize alternative feedstocks made from soft plastics, tallow, and used cooking oil at the refinery.

These projects are good for the environment and establish a new future for the refinery, supporting jobs and the local economy.

https://primemovermag.com.au/geelong-refinery-set-to-commence-tyre-recycling-initiative/