Enviro Gets Pyrolysis Oil Order From US Oil Company

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Scandinavian Enviro Systems has received a recovered pyrolysis oil order worth MSEK 2 from the subsidiary of a leading US oil company. The oil will be used for production tests at a European oil refinery owned by the oil company, Enviro said in a statement. Completion of the transaction is conditional upon Enviro’s recovered oil gaining a registration in accordance with the EU chemicals regulation, REACH. The company expects to obtain a REACH registration for the oil as an intermediate during the second quarter of 2022. 

Enviro said the oil company is one of the five largest oil companies in the US and the oil will be used to conduct production tests to determine how suitable it is as feedstock for the production of different biofuels. The oil will be produced at Enviro’s recycling plant in Åsensbruk. The plant is based on Enviro’s patented recycling technology for end-of-life vehicle tyres and the oil and carbon black produced at the plant were both certified in accordance with the global sustainability certification system ISCC in September last year. 

To be finalised, Enviro’s oil must also be approved in accordance with the EU REACH regulation. Other manufacturers have already obtained registrations for pyrolysis oil in accordance with the regulation. REACH is a regulation of the European Union, adopted to improve the protection of human health and the environment from the risks that can be posed by chemicals. Enviro expects to obtain a REACH registration of its oil as an intermediate during the second quarter of 2022. 

Thomas Sörensson, CEO, Enviro, said, “This is the first major order from an oil company and is a milestone for Enviro’s development as it signals a clear acceptance of the commercial potential of our pyrolysis oil. Accordingly, this transaction also improves our opportunities to secure off-take agreements for the oil we recover.”  

The ISCC certification of pyrolysis oil from the plant in Åsensbruk is crucial for enabling Enviro to conduct large-scale commercial trading in the oil. Several companies in the oil and chemicals industries have shown interest in using recovered pyrolysis oil in their production for sustainability reasons. The price level on which the order now received is based also confirms the revenue calculations communicated earlier by Enviro regarding the company’s future, full-scale recycling plants. 

Sörensson added, “The stricter requirements concerning sustainability from the authorities, politicians, consumers and investors has increased the interest in our recovered pyrolysis oil markedly in the past few years. Having our recovered materials, such as oil and carbon black, ISCC certified is a significant achievement and makes it possible for the oil industry and the chemicals industry to become more sustainable and circular.” (TT) 

Enviro Initiates Bankruptcy Proceedings For subsidiary Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB

Enviro Initiates Bankruptcy Proceedings For subsidiary Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB

The Board of Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) has resolved to file for bankruptcy for its fully owned subsidiary, Tyre Recycling in Sweden AB. A formal petition has been submitted to the District Court of Gothenburg to initiate the process. This action forms part of the broader company reorganisation currently underway for the parent company and is specifically intended to improve Enviro’s liquidity and support its long-term profitability.

The subsidiary in question operated a recycling facility in Åsensbruk, which was instrumental in validating both the company’s technological processes and the products derived from them. Having successfully fulfilled this developmental role, the facility’s ongoing operations are no longer strategically essential. Given that the site has not been financially viable, the Board determined that filing for bankruptcy for the subsidiary was the necessary course of action.

This decision is projected to negatively impact Enviro’s financial results through an impairment charge of approximately SEK 84 million (approximately USD 9.14 million). Despite this measure, Enviro’s core operations in Gothenburg will continue without disruption, running in parallel with other initiatives being implemented under the reorganisation framework. It is important to note that the company reorganisation applies exclusively to the parent company, Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB, and not to its subsidiaries.

Yokohama Rubber To Partner With KONDO RACING For 2026 Nürburgring Events

The Yokohama Rubber Company has confirmed a renewed partnership with KONDO RACING for the 2026 motorsport season, marked by a shared pursuit of victory in the highly competitive SP9 class at the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race. The team will campaign a Ferrari 296 GT3 EVO, equipped with Yokohama’s ADVAN racing tyres, across both the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race (ADAC RAVENOL 24h Nürburgring) and the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie (NLS).

This collaboration brings together a proven combination. KONDO RACING, under the leadership of Masahiko Kondo, has consistently demonstrated its capability on the global stage, competing in elite series such as SUPER GT and SUPER FORMULA in Japan, as well as enduring the rigors of Le Mans. Their history with Yokohama at the Nürburgring includes a notable ninth-place overall finish in 2019. More recently, the team showed formidable pace in 2025, securing second place in the qualifying race and remaining a contender among the frontrunners throughout the final event. This performance provides a strong foundation for their 2026 campaign, where the objective is a class victory.


KONDO RACING Director Masahiko Kondo

Yokohama Rubber’s commitment to the Nürburgring extends beyond its partnership with KONDO RACING. The company will continue to provide its high-performance tyre technology to multiple leading teams competing in the NLS and the 24-hour race. The overarching goal is to secure another overall championship, leveraging the reliability and handling precision of its tyres to conquer one of the world’s most demanding circuits. This renewed agreement reinforces a longstanding relationship built on shared success in both domestic Japanese competitions and gruelling international endurance events.

California OEHHA Study Finds No Significant Risk From Crumb Rubber In Synthetic Turf

California OEHHA Study Finds No Significant Risk From Crumb Rubber In Synthetic Turf

A new study from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has concluded that crumb rubber infill made from recycled tyres and used in synthetic turf fields poses no significant health risk to those who use or observe them. The comprehensive evaluation found no evidence linking these fields to cancer or other health issues for athletes, officials, coaches or spectators, including young children.

These engineered fields, designed to replicate natural grass, are popular due to their low maintenance, water efficiency and durable, consistent surface. Their widespread adoption in California includes over 900 installations. The infill itself consists of small granules from recycled waste tyres, which help keep the artificial blades upright and provide cushioning and traction.

OEHHA conducted the study to support California's sustainability efforts, specifically its Waste Tire Program, which seeks safe and beneficial uses for recycled materials that would otherwise go to landfills. To ensure a thorough assessment, researchers tested 35 different fields, varying in age and location to represent all of California's climate zones. Multiple samples were taken from each field to account for material differences, and air quality was monitored both during active play and at rest.

The study’s scope was unprecedented, analysing over 100 chemicals of potential concern, far more than previous investigations. In collaboration with Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, researchers simulated human sweat and digestion to identify all chemicals to which a person might be exposed. To understand exposure pathways, OEHHA partnered with UC Berkeley and the University of Arizona. They surveyed over a thousand soccer players, ranging in age from 7 to 71, about their playing habits and observed games to document contact with the turf. The analysis used data from goalies, who have the most frequent contact, to estimate the maximum risk for all players, also considering the potential exposure for a crawling toddler. The final analysis indicated that risks related to cancer, reproductive harm or sensory irritation were negligible.

Kris Thayer, Director, OEHHA, said, "This study should ease concerns about the safety of crumb rubber use in synthetic turf fields. Athletes of all ages can use these fields without parents worrying about this commonly used material."

Zoe Heller, Director, CalRecycle, said, "Protecting public health is our top priority, and California is committed to making sure waste tyres are managed safely so they don’t litter communities or pose risks to residents. CalRecycle appreciates the work of OEHHA and its partners to advance our understanding in support of a cleaner, healthier circular economy."

Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 To Feature Performance-Focused Compound And Structural Advancements

Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 To Feature Performance-Focused Compound And Structural Advancements

The all-new Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2, an ultra-high-performance (UHP) all-season tyre scheduled for launch this summer, will come armed with a next-generation tread compound technology and a highly innovative structure to deliver an unrivalled combination of year-round safety, performance and efficiency across dry, wet and winter conditions. This model represents a major advancement for the Vredestein brand, which has been a pioneer in the all-season sector since the early 1990s.

Developed from a clean sheet by Apollo Tyres at its Global R&D Centre in the Netherlands, the Quatrac Pro 2 was not an evolution of an existing design. Instead, engineers completely reimagined the tread, materials and structure to overcome the typical performance compromises found in this category. The tyre will be manufactured at Apollo’s advanced facility in Hungary.

The core of its capability is a new directional tread pattern. Longitudinal grooves work with a V-shaped design to maximise resistance to aquaplaning by efficiently evacuating water. Lateral grooves are sculpted to harmonise wet-road performance with winter traction, while a stable centre rib ensures precise dry handling and braking stability on both wet and dry surfaces. For snow-covered roads, advanced 3D interlocking sipes in the shoulder blocks provide grip without compromising tread stability in other conditions. A multi-pitch tread block sequence also refines the acoustic signature, which is particularly advantageous for electric and hybrid vehicles. The entire Quatrac Pro 2 range achieves an A-rated exterior noise label.

A revolutionary next-generation traction compound is central to the tyre’s versatile performance. This advanced material combines a unique mixture of resins and polymers with complex multi-filler technology. The result is a tyre that maintains a broad operational range across varying temperatures, with a strong emphasis on wet braking. It balances low-temperature flexibility for reliable grip on cold, wet and snowy surfaces with high-temperature stability for consistent handling and abrasion resistance on hot, dry roads, enhancing durability year-round. The tyre bears the Three Peak Mountain Snowflake (3PMSF) symbol, confirming its winter capability.

This new compound and tread design are also optimised for electric and hybrid vehicles, managing the challenges of high battery mass and instant electric motor torque by ensuring consistent grip and tread stability. The engineering goal was to provide high levels of cornering stability and precision without sacrificing ride comfort, a balance that sets the tyre apart.

Complementing the compound, the tyre's structure has been entirely re-engineered. A stiffer bead area with a double taper design ensures secure bead seating even at high speeds while distributing forces more evenly for improved comfort and stability. A dedicated belt design optimises the tyre's footprint for enhanced mileage. In mixed fitments, this improves steering precision at the front axle and stability at the rear.

The Vredestein Quatrac Pro 2 will be available in an extensive range of sizes for 17- to 24-inch rims, including section widths up to 355 for high-performance vehicles. With speed ratings up to Y (300 kmph), it firmly positions itself at the pinnacle of the UHP all-season category, with high load rating options on select sizes.

Daniele Lorenzetti, Chief Technology Officer, Apollo Tyres Ltd, said, “The Quatrac Pro 2 has exceeded the very demanding performance target we set during development while delivering superior wet grip, great snow handling, low rolling resistance and high mileage. By focusing on the fundamentals of tyre behaviour and rethinking tread design, materials and structure, we have created a performance-focused all-season tyre that delivers stability, mileage, all-season grip with best wet performance in category.”