Wastefront breaks ground on UK’s first tyre-to-fuel facility to support SAF production
Wastefront has broken ground on the UK’s first tyre-to-fuel facility designed to support sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This initiative aligns with the aviation industry’s goal to reduce carbon emissions by transforming end-of-life tyres (ELTs) into valuable feedstock for low-carbon jet fuel. As the UK seeks to scale SAF production, projects like this highlight the potential of advanced pyrolysis technology in supporting net-zero aviation goals. This market report explores the significance of Wastefront’s facility, the challenges of tyre-to-fuel supply chains, and the future of alternative aviation fuels.
Wastefront officially began construction on its £100 million tyre-to-fuel plant at the Port of Sunderland, marking the UK’s first large-scale facility dedicated to sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production. This milestone positions Wastefront, backed by International Airlines Group (IAG), as a key player in advancing the UK’s carbon reduction targets while creating over 100 local jobs.
Once fully operational by 2027, the facility will process 10 million end-of-life tyres annually, converting them into tyre-derived oil for refining into SAF and other sustainable fuels. This initiative addresses the UK’s growing tyre waste challenge, with approximately 55 million tyres reaching end-of-life each year.
Utilising pyrolysis technology, the Sunderland plant will operate as a fully circular system, recycling gases from the process to power its operations. Wastefront aims to establish four large-scale plants by 2030, producing 128,000 tonnes of oil annually—sufficient to generate around 90,000 tonnes of SAF.
With the UK’s SAF mandate requiring at least 10% of all jet fuel to come from sustainable sources by 2030, Wastefront’s facility closes the gap between current production and future demand. The project also strengthens the North East’s role in the UK’s expanding net zero economy, reinforcing the region’s leadership in sustainable innovation.
Read more about the topic in BBC’s article.
Why Australia’s Viva Energy SAF Project is the Benchmark for Tyre-to-Fuel Success
While Wastefront’s SAF project marks an essential step for the UK, challenges in feedstock availability and scaling pyrolysis-based fuel production could impact its long-term viability. Klean Industries is already delivering a proven, feedstock-secure solution with Australia’s Viva Energy SAF project—one of the most advanced and commercially viable tyre-to-fuel initiatives globally.
Learn How the Viva Energy Project is Leading the Way in Tyre-to-Fuel SAF Production
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