Belarus plans new tyre recycling plant

Belarus – Balkan Advisory Company (BAC) is ready to build a plant in Belarus to process old tyres, according to the country’s State Committee for Science and Technology (SCST). The project was discussed at a recent meeting of BAC representatives and the committee’s Chairman Igor Voitov.

The technology to be used at the recycling facility has been designed by German and Romanian specialists, employing thermolysis to convert used tyres into gaseous components which are then plasma-treated to complete the breakdown of heavy gaseous compounds. The plant to be built in Belarus will be the third of its kind, with the other facilities being in Greece and Romania.

At present, Belarussian company Belresursy accumulates a large number of used tyres, of which some 10 000 tonnes are burned annually in domestic cement mills while the remainder are sold to Russia. According to experts, the project is interesting to Belarus from the standpoint of both its ecological benefits and exports, with reclaimed compounded rubber enjoying solid demand in Europe.

The SCST is still to determine the form of ownership of the new enterprise. Two possibilities are under consideration: 100% foreign investment with a long-term contract for the supply of raw materials; and a joint venture.