Orion S.A. revealed plans to invest in the enhancement of Alpha Carbone, a French tire recycling enterprise. The collaboration aims to facilitate Alpha Carbone’s expansion, enabling the production of substantial volumes of tire pyrolysis oil and recovered carbon black.
Orion has secured a long-term procurement deal, ensuring its exclusivity as the recipient of Alpha Carbone’s tire pyrolysis oil. This oil will fuel Orion’s production of circular carbon black for its clientele in the tire and rubber industries.
Orion’s CEO, Corning Painter, stated that this investment empowers the company to meet the escalating demand for sustainable solutions among its rubber customers.
France discards roughly 500,000 metric tons of tires annually. Orion has collaborated closely with major tire manufacturers for years to develop circular carbon black. Tire pyrolysis stands out as the sole proven technology capable of producing circular carbon black suitable for new tires.
Alpha Carbone’s tire pyrolysis process involves subjecting end-of-life tires to high temperatures to extract wire, mesh, and other materials. This process yields synthetic gas, recovered carbon black, and tire pyrolysis oil.
Orion stands alone in its ability to produce circular carbon black entirely from tire pyrolysis oil. The company has demonstrated that its circular products can effectively substitute virgin carbon black across various applications.
As reported by bakersfield.com, Alpha Carbone’s upgraded facility in Dole, France, is slated to commence operations in late 2025. In addition to supplying pyrolysis oil to Orion, Alpha Carbone will market recovered carbon black to its own clientele, primarily under long-term agreements.
Laura Pech, CEO of Alpha Carbone, emphasized that this investment marks a significant stride towards aligning with Alpha Recyclage Franche Comté’s overarching strategy to provide optimal solutions for recycling end-of-life tires.
