Farrel Pomini invests in UK waste tire pyrolysis startup 

Ansonia, Connecticut – Mixing technology and compounding systems specialist Farrel Pomini is investing in a UK waste tire pyrolysis company to create a ‘solid platform’ to close the tire recycling loop.

The company is investing an undisclosed amount in Camberly-based WF Recycle-Tech, whose patented pyrolysis technology offers “a distinct and pioneering approach to the pyrolysis methods currently available,” said a 10 May statement.

The collaboration, which officially began in February 2021, will aim to commercialise WF Recycle-Tech’s first-generation thermo-dynamic pyrolysis technology, leveraging Farrel’s continuous mixing technology and its engineering and manufacturing expertise. 

In addition, the investment will provide Farrel Pomini an entry into the end-of-life tire recycling equipment market, added the company statement.

“It brings significant opportunities for Farrel Pomini,” said president Paul Lloyd, “[We] support WF Recycle-Tech with our commercial and technical expertise while offering our customers... an opportunity to utilise the patented system or its outputs.” 

According to Lloyd, the investment will improve sustainability across several the company's business sectors, particularly adding value for its plastic compounding customers. 

Farrel’s R&D team are currently working to optimise compounding applications for the WF Recycle-Tech’s recovered carbon black to offer existing and potential customers.

Part of the Freudenberg-based HF Mixing Group, Farrel Pomini specialises in continuous mixing technology and manufactures compounding systems for highly filled and temperature sensitive polymer applications. 

Established in 2013, WF Recycle-Tech has developed a thermo-dynamic tire pyrolysis technology.

It recently completed its prototype with the help of business partners, which also include HF Mixing Group, Futurenergy, European Bioenergy Research Institute and Artis. The company is now looking to commercialise its production machines.

The technology consists of a series of integrated modules that breaks down the rubber into its base compounds: a TDO (tire derived oil), syngas and a raw recovered carbon black (rCB). 

Typically, 1.5 tonnes of rubber crumb produce a mass balance return of 50% TDO, 40% rCB and 10% syngas.