TPO (tire pyrolysis oil)

Raw material from used tires for sustainable industry

enespa ag is your competent partner for the trade of tire pyrolysis oil

enespa ag is ideally positioned for professional trading in tire pyrolysis oil on an industrial scale. Through a global network of strategic contacts with refineries and petrochemical processors specifically seeking alternative hydrocarbon sources such as TPO (Tire Pyrolysis Oil), we are able to market these products efficiently, internationally, and in line with demand.

A key operational advantage is our in-house petrochemical laboratory infrastructure, which enables precise analysis, characterization, and quality assurance of pyrolysis oils – crucial for further processing in crackers, hydrocrackers, or blending processes.

We also actively support our partners with regulatory requirements: enespa ag assists them with REACH registration, the creation of complete product specifications, and documentation for ISCC and ISCC PLUS certifications. These services enable producers, importers, and processors to integrate pyrolysis oil into existing material flows in a legally compliant and sustainable manner.

A special unique selling point: enespa ag is itself ISCC-certified. This enables us to purchase, trade, and resell certified pyrolysis oil without interrupting or losing the sustainability certification – a crucial factor for players in the circular economy who rely on seamless traceability and regulatory compliance.

With our technical expertise, regulatory competence, and global market connections, enespa is the ideal partner for the commercial and sustainable marketing of tire pyrolysis oil.

The environmental benefits of tire pyrolysis oil

Reduction of used tire waste

More than 1 billion old tires are generated worldwide every year – pyrolysis offers a resource-saving recycling option.

Reducing CO₂ emissions

By replacing fossil energy sources and using them as materials, the greenhouse gas balance is improved.

Avoiding environmentally harmful disposal practices

Instead of burning or dumping tires, their material value is utilized.

Closing material cycles

Combined with recovered carbon black (rCB), almost the entire tire can be recycled for material or energy purposes.

What is tire pyrolysis oil?

This is a liquid product obtained by the thermal decomposition of used tires in the absence of oxygen (pyrolysis). This process converts the complex organic structures of rubber and caoutchouc compounds into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons.

Suitable raw materials: old tires

Used tires typically consist of a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber (e.g. SBR – styrene butadiene rubber), carbon black, reinforcers, plasticizers, oils and metal inserts (e.g. steel belts).

This complex composition often makes recycling by mechanical means difficult – pyrolysis is an efficient solution.

Use of tire pyrolysis oil in refineries and industry

Objective: Raw material recovery and energy utilization

Depending on the processing, tire pyrolysis oil (also TPO – Tire Pyrolysis Oil) can be used as an energy source or as a raw material for petrochemical processes:

Benefits for refineries

Substitution of fossil raw materials

Tire pyrolysis oil can partially or completely replace fossil fractions such as VGO or heavy fuel oil.

Existing infrastructure usable

With manageable adjustments, the oil can be fed into existing crackers or hydrocrackers.

Contribution to the circular economy

The return of old tires to the recycling cycle corresponds to the “waste-to-resource” principle.

Diversification of the raw material base

Increased raw material security through the integration of secondary sources.

Certification & Traceability: ISCC & ISCC PLUS

A key success factor for the commercial use of tire pyrolysis oil – especially with regard to regulatory requirements and customer transparency – is robust sustainability certification.

ISCC (International Sustainability and Carbon Certification)

Part of the tire pyrolysis oil, especially the biogenic component from natural rubber, can be classified as a sustainable raw material according to the criteria of the ISCC EU certification.

This enables use in areas with legally prescribed sustainability requirements, such as:

  • Biofuels in the transport sector
  • Credit towards renewable energy targets
  • Evidence in the GHG quota system
    Compliance with legal requirements
  • Sustainability requirements (e.g. RED II)
  • Recognition by authorities and GHG systems
  • Eligibility in regulated markets

ISCC PLUS – For industrial applications & chemistry

The remaining, non-biogenic portion of the pyrolysis oil (e.g. synthetic rubber) can be certified according to the voluntary ISCC PLUS standard.

In combination, ISCC and ISCC PLUS enable full sustainability certification of tire pyrolysis oil – depending on its origin and application. This not only strengthens the oil's usability but also the market position of companies along the entire value chain – from the pyrolysis plant to the final product.

  • Chemical industry
  • Packaging Industry
  • plastics manufacturers
  • Unregulated fuel markets
  • Mass balancing across complex supply chains
  • Transparency for OEMs and end users
  • Certified traceability from used tires to the final product
  • Support in meeting EU recycling quotas
  • Acceptance in voluntary markets and B2B customer groups
  • All
  • Investor Relations
  • Research laboratory
  • System Engineering
  • Plant operation
  • Persons
  • For the cause
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