Bolder secures additional support for Antwerp tire recycling project

Antwerp, Belgium – Bolder Industries Belgium has secured an additional €1 million in support from the Flemish government for its planned end-of-life tire (ELT) pyrolysis facility at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, the company announced 22 May.

The funding adds to the €32.3 million grant awarded under the EU Emissions Trading System Innovation Fund, managed by CINEA, for what will be Bolder’s first European industrial facility. (ERJ report)

At full capacity, the Antwerp plant is expected to process around 6 million ELTs annually and produce nearly 18 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) of recovered carbon black marketed as BolderBlack, as well as 21ktpa of pyrolysis oil sold under the BolderOil brand.

The project is also expected to create more than 50 direct jobs and reduce CO2 emissions by around 606 kilotonnes over its first decade of operation, according to the company.

Bolder said the recycled carbon black produced at the site will have an approximately 85% lower carbon footprint compared to virgin carbon black.

“We appreciate the continued support and what it signals to the market,” said CEO Tony Wibbeler, describing Antwerp as “the right place to prove that circular manufacturing is already realised.”

Construction of the Antwerp facility is scheduled to begin in 2026, with operations expected to start in 2027.