Pyrum, bicycle tire maker Bohle to collaborate on ELT recycling

Dillingen, Germany – Tire pyrolysis company Pyrum Innovations AG has received the first delivery of old bicycle tires for recycling from Ralf Bohle, the manufacturer of Schwalbe brand of bicycle tires. 

The delivery is part of an agreement signed in September by the two German companies to study the recycling of bicycle tires using Pyrum’s patented pyrolysis technology.

The two sides will also look into using Pyrum’s recovered carbon black (rCB) as an “ecological secondary raw material” in the production of new Schwalbe products, Pyrum announced 15 Oct.

As part of the collaboration, Bohle is to establish a collection network for used bicycle tires and deliver them to Pyrum for further processing. 

Pyrum, in turn, takes over the mechanical processing and pyrolytic recycling of the old tires with its pyrolysis plant in Dillingen.

Furthermore, Bohle will start purchasing Pyrum’s rCB “as soon as the use of rCB in Schwalbe products is technically feasible.”

The carbon black product will be used in the manufacture of new bicycle tires and tubes. 

As part of an initial test of the return network, Bohle has now delivered the first delivery of used bicycle tires with a volume of 20 tonnes.

“Together with our partner, we want to contribute to making the bicycle even more sustainable,” said Pascal Klein, CEO of Pyrum Innovations AG. 

Bohle is one of Europe's market leaders for bicycle tires and tubes with its Schwalbe brand and sales of €225 million in 2020.