Bilfinger and Circtec have officially opened Circtec’s tire recycling facility in Delfzijl, the Netherlands, marking a milestone for the circular economy.

The plant is Europe’s largest end-of-life tire pyrolysis facility to date and highlights the Netherlands’ strong position in attracting large-scale green industrial investments, supported by grant programmes from RVO and the Province of Groningen.

As engineering and system integration partner, Bilfinger played a key role in scaling Circtec’s proven pyrolysis technology from a pilot plant in Poland to a full-scale industrial facility.

The Delfzijl plant integrates complex equipment, utilities, and infrastructure into a single, coherent design, significantly increasing processing capacity.

Using an oxygen-free pyrolysis process, the facility converts waste tires into valuable resources, including gas, oil fractions, and solid carbon-rich material.

These outputs are refined into sustainable marine fuel, circular naphtha for the chemical industry, and recovered carbon black for reuse in rubber and plastics.

Metals are also separated and recycled, completing the circular loop.

Once fully developed, the plant will process up to 200,000 tonnes of waste tires annually, reducing carbon emissions by replacing fossil-based resources.

Bilfinger began work in May 2024, delivering engineering, procurement support, and contractor coordination under an exceptionally tight schedule.

Design and construction ran in parallel, with equipment sourced across Europe, requiring close coordination.

Designed for future growth, Phase 1 includes six reactors, with infrastructure reserved for expansion to 28 reactors.

Officially inaugurated by King Willem-Alexander and Climate Minister Sophie Hermans, the facility stands as a flagship project for both partners and a strong reference for circular economy projects worldwide.

"Bilfinger turned our technology into a full-scale plant with professionalism and precision. The collaboration was seamless, and we are very proud of what we achieved together," says Allen Timpany, CEO of Circtec.

“To deliver a project of this scale within such a compressed timeline requires close collaboration and absolute trust between all parties,” says Kevin Pieterse, Vice President at Bilfinger Engineering & Consultancy. “We worked as one integrated team with Circtec, from joint engineering sessions to a strong on-site presence during construction. Despite the challenges, I am very proud of what the team has achieved together.” -TradeArabia News Service