Bolder Industries is positioning itself at the forefront of circular economy innovation with its next-generation Antwerp facility, promising to recycle 6.6 million tyres annually while slashing greenhouse gas emissions by over 80 percent. While the company has proven its technology in the US with BolderBlack and BolderOil, scaling operations to Europe will test both supply chain resilience and market adoption. Beyond environmental claims, the facility’s success will hinge on replicating consistent product quality at commercial volumes, navigating regulatory frameworks and maintaining customer confidence amid global demand for sustainable industrial materials.

Bolder Industries recently secured a EUR 32 million grant from the EU Innovation Fund and an additional EUR 2 million from the Flanders region to support its Antwerp facility, which will recycle over six million tyres annually.

Scheduled to begin operations by 2027, the plant will utilise wind power and on-site heat to produce sustainable materials like BolderBlack and BolderOil, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Construction is set to commence in 2026, marking a major step towards sustainable manufacturing in Europe.

The plant will serve as a cornerstone for Europe’s circular economy ambitions and strengthen the company’s position in the growing global market for sustainable industrial materials.

Speaking exclusively to Tyre Trends, Chief Executive Officer Tony Wibbeler shared a thorough insight into the company’s strategy and technology, reflecting the company’s readiness to scale proven solutions to commercial volumes.

“Bolder is beyond an ambitious idea. Since 2019, we have demonstrated years of commercial success with BolderBlack and BolderOil, which are now supplied across thousands of applications in tyres, rubber, plastics and coatings. Our US operations have proven our technology at scale and the Antwerp facility is not a pilot project; it is backed by the European Commission’s Innovation Fund through CINEA as part of the NextGen Thermal Tire Re-use (N2TR) project with full capacity targeted for spring 2027,” explained Wibbeler.

“We’ve built traceability and certification frameworks like ISCC Plus, ensuring customers receive validated, circular and consistent materials. We’re not proving the concept, we’re scaling a proven solution to meet accelerating global demand,” he added.

BolderBlack, the company’s flagship product, is already integrated into more than 3,000 global applications including tyres, manufactured rubber goods, inks, coatings and plastics. BolderOil complements this by serving high-value markets such as petrochemicals, solvents, carbon black feedstocks and sustainable fuels.

“We do not focus on what others are doing. Our steadfast focus is on delivering consistent, high-quality solutions to customers who demand reliability. Our technology has consistently delivered high-quality products for over five years, making us one of the few companies with a proven commercial-scale history,” Wibbeler noted.

The company sources its feedstock exclusively from post-consumer and post-industrial end-of-life tyres and scrap rubber obtained through partnerships in the US and Europe. “Because we are not tied to oil markets, our products are shielded from oil volatility and tariffs. That

stability enables predictable pricing, typically at a discount to virgin carbon black,” contended Wibbeler.

QUALITY STANDARDS

Meeting stringent tyre maker quality standards is a continuous process. Aside from traditional certifications like ISO 9001, the company has learned a tremendous amount from its customers. “While audits can be daunting, we embrace their experiences and utilise their suggestions to improve our manufacturing processes continually,” noted Wibbeler.

The Port of Antwerp facility is designed to recycle approximately 6.6 million tyres annually at full operation. The process achieves an over 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and reduces water use by more than 90 percent compared to conventional carbon black production. This represents a major step forward from traditional tyre disposal methods such as landfilling and incineration, which are resource-intensive and environmentally harmful.

Strategically located on a 55,152-square-metre site within the NextGen District, the Antwerp facility will house four proprietary reactors and a state-of-the-art finishing line. The plant will be powered predominantly by renewable energy including wind power and recovered heat, underscoring the company’s commitment to environmental stewardship.

Complementing the Antwerp operation, Bolder’s US expansion in Terre Haute, Indiana, will recycle a comparable volume of tyres, producing 18,000 metric tonnes of BolderBlack and 21,000 metric tonnes of BolderOil.

“Together, these two facilities create a robust transatlantic supply network that guarantees customers consistent and reliable volumes,” Wibbeler highlighted.

CIRCULAR HUB

The Antwerp facility also contributes to regional economic growth, creating at least 50 new jobs in Flanders and reinforcing Antwerp’s standing as a circular economy hub. Cleaner production, strategic port access and integration within Europe’s largest petrochemical cluster further enhance the plant’s operational advantages.

The company’s resilience stems from multiple business safeguards. These include geographic diversification, alignment with ISCC Plus and European Union frameworks and securing commercial offtake agreements before capacity expansions.

The company recently secured a significant equity investment from Tiger Infrastructure Partners, a private equity firm with expertise in scaling infrastructure projects across the US and Europe, to support growth.

“Our customer base spans the largest tyre manufacturers globally and smaller players alike. This segmentation strategy places BolderBlack into thousands of products, from performance tyres to wetsuits, exemplifying our market reach,” Wibbeler affirmed.

While BolderBlack is already in mainstream production for some manufacturers, others remain in pilot phases. Multi-year offtake contracts ensure operational stability for existing and future capacities.

Regarding the pyrolysis oil produced in the recycling process, the company emphasises a commitment to true circularity. “Our primary markets for BolderOil are carbon black oil feedstock and petrochemicals, supporting circularity goals in tyre and rubber goods industries. We anticipate entering sustainable fuels markets in Europe, though nothing has been finalised currently,” stated the executive.

Addressing concerns around pyrolysis potentially delaying landfill issues, Wibbeler said, “That critique is both misinformed and shortsighted. Pyrolysis is just one step in our broader process. Our traceable tyre-to-tyre reuse model effectively solves the problem rather than delaying it.”

Bolder Industries is actively engaged in industry forums and circular economy initiatives, promoting sustainable materials and tyre recycling advancements, highlighting its leadership role beyond operational activity. The company has achieved multiple certifications and complies rigorously with environmental and quality standards and maintains a Silver EcoVadis rating, reflecting corporate responsibility.

The growing global recycled materials market further positions it to capture market share as industries elevate environmental compliance and sustainability.

Wibbeler concluded with an ambitious outlook, stating, “The industry faces many challenges ahead. Our aim for the next decade is to expand globally, deepen partnerships and deploy a range of technologies to deliver scalable, traceable circular solutions. That’s the role we are committed to playing.” 

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Zeon Corporation and Visolis Inc. have formalised their partnership by signing a binding term sheet, marking a pivotal advancement in the commercialisation of bio-based isoprene monomer and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).

This collaboration, which now moves from technology verification towards project implementation, is built upon the progress made since their initial memorandum of understanding in March 2024 and the subsequent joint feasibility study announced in April 2025. Bio-based isoprene monomer serves as an essential component in the production of synthetic rubbers and various other materials, while SAF is increasingly recognised as a critical next-generation fuel for reducing carbon emissions within the aviation industry.

The newly established term sheet outlines a foundational agreement on the key elements required for a final investment decision. These include defining the business structure and the respective roles of each company, establishing technology and development strategies and advancing detailed engineering for the proposed production facility. Furthermore, the agreement covers the evaluation of potential sites, the process for engaging with suppliers, securing necessary regulatory approvals and planning the financing pathway.

The envisioned facility is set to commence commercial-scale output after successfully demonstrating mass production capabilities for biomass-based isoprene and SAF, utilising Visolis’ proprietary technology. Both companies are now committed to expediting the path to full-scale production and ensuring a steady supply of these sustainable products to the global market.

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Zeon Corporation has deepened its commitment to digital chemistry through a strategic investment and partnership with Chemify Limited, secured via its corporate venture arm Zeon Ventures Inc. Chemify, a growth-stage UK enterprise, is reshaping molecular research by integrating digital tools with automated laboratory systems. Its proprietary Chemputation technology translates molecular targets into executable chemical code, which operates directly on robotic platforms to complete integrated Design–Make–Test–Analyze cycles without manual intervention. This closed-loop automation allows Chemify to explore previously inaccessible areas of chemical space while reducing the timeline from concept to synthesized compound by up to tenfold.

A cornerstone of Chemify’s capability is its recently inaugurated Chemifarm in Glasgow – one of the most sophisticated automated facilities in the world for molecular design and construction. The facility enables accelerated iteration and autonomous synthesis of novel small molecules, converting chemical code into tangible compounds with unprecedented efficiency. These advances are critical for developing functional, synthesisable molecules that can contribute solutions to urgent global issues spanning public health, energy efficiency and environmental protection.

Zeon has been at the forefront of adopting digital methodologies in chemical R&D, recognising their transformative potential from an early stage. This investment is positioned to strengthen Zeon’s internal digital chemistry efforts and catalyse the invention of novel materials capable of addressing complex societal needs. The move aligns with Zeon’s STAGE30 corporate strategy, which targets a rise in revenue contribution from four key growth sectors – Mobility, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Telecommunications and Green Transformation – to 48 percent by fiscal 2028. By backing pioneering enterprises and cultivating advanced materials, Zeon continues to advance its dual vision of a sustainable planet and a secure, progressive society.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced the opening of an application window for financial aid for sulphur dusting to combat powdery mildew disease in rubber plantations for the year 2026. The scheme is open to all Rubber Producers’ Societies (RPS) operating in both traditional and non-traditional growing regions.

From 10 to 20 February 2026, eligible societies must submit their applications online through the 'ServicePlus' portal on the official Rubber Board website. Societies requiring help with the submission process are advised to contact their nearest Rubber Board regional office or field station, or to consult the board's website for further guidance.

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Pyrum Innovations AG has welcomed the official recognition by French authorities on 17 January 2026, which classifies tyre pyrolysis oil (TPO) as a legitimate raw material for the chemical sector. This pivotal regulatory milestone for pyrolysis oil derived from end-of-life tyres substantially enhances the product’s integration into established chemical value chains. It also provides greater predictability for future purchase and partnership frameworks, thereby accelerating the development of industrial material cycles.

For Pyrum, which processes scrap tyres through pyrolysis to recover pyrolysis oil, industrial carbon black and steel, this decision underscores the critical need for standardised and reliable regulatory conditions. Such clarity is fundamental for scaling investments, production volumes and supply chains, particularly as the chemical industry and circular economy converge. The establishment of clear product categories is essential to ramp up the market for high-quality recycled raw materials.

The company remains committed to tracking further developments in France and the wider European dialogue regarding the classification and application of recycled feedstocks. Pyrum’s overarching objective is to expand industrial-scale recycling solutions for scrap tyres. This regulatory progress directly supports the company’s mission to secure long-term, quality-assured supply agreements with partners across the chemical industry, thereby advancing a more sustainable and circular economic model.

Pascal Klein, CEO, Pyrum Innovations AG, said, “The decision in France is an important step for the industrial use of pyrolysis oil from waste tyres. It supports a trend that we are seeing in many markets, where the chemical industry is seeking reliable, technologically robust and clearly classified alternative raw materials.”

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