Stockholm – Recovered carbon black (rCB) manufacturer Scandinavian Enviro Systems is focusing its activities on North America, with three different ‘active negotiations’ currently ongoing in the region.
An expected rise in demand and greater environmental pressure on virgin carbon black producers are some of the key reasons why the company expects growth in the region, according to CEO Thomas Sörensson.
The Swedish tire pyrolysis company is currently pursuing two joint venture projects in the US, with Treadcraft Ltd and EE-TDF Cleveland LLC respectively, and one in Canada with ArticCan.
“The US projects are progressing as planned. They… chose us due to our patented pyrolysis technology,” said Sörensson 11 March, upon returning from a trip to the region.
In Canada, however, Sörensson believes that companies have adopted a “wait-and-see attitude” with respect to the newly introduced manufacturer liability legislation in Ontario.
The use of rCB, Enviro arguments, ‘decouples’ carbon black from oil prices and makes it less sensitive to lower oil prices.
“We are expecting the price floor to be higher than before, which benefits the profitability of recycled material,” said Sörensson.
In addition to the three projects, Enviro is also chasing other potential partnerships in the region, including one in Maryland.
The project involves a “an experienced tire recycler” who previously worked on a plant project based on another technology and is now considering moving forward with Enviro instead, Sörensson added.