Wastefront is a Waste-to-Fuel business that is on a pathway to convert End-of-Life-Tyres into ultra low-cost Sustainable Aviation Fuels and Sustainable Chemicals
Our solution, the Wastefront Blueprint, achieves the highest Technical Readiness Level (TRL 9), meaning it is ready for full commercial deployment. The Blueprint is a circular process through which Wastefront has taken a wasteful industry practice and generated a series of sustainable outcomes which extract value throughout. We have created a first-of-its-kind complete supply chain for this, by striking a series of deals to rapidly bring these sustainable products to market. Wastefront has offtake agreements in place with Vitol and Weber & Schaer, partnerships with Devaltec and Technip Energies, a strategic partnership with ENSO, and feedstock supply through a 10-year agreement with Gateway Resources, the largest exporter of End-of-Life Tyres in the UK. We are proud to have the backing of marquee investors such as Norwegian state-owned company and national development bank, Innovation Norway, and Skattefunn (Research Council of Norway).
“We are delighted that Wastefront has chosen to construct its first ever plant at Port of Sunderland and we are looking forward to working with Christian and the team to bring their vision to life."
— Matthew Hunt, Port of Sunderland
Demand for Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) far exceeds current and anticipated future supply. In fact, SAF demand is growing at a 45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), with more than 40 airlines already publicly committed to using around 13 million mt of SAF by 2030. Yet, the total global SAF supply is today no more than 2 million mt. In order for the sector to meet decarbonisation targets, cost effective solutions must be brought to market in the next few years, with 2030 being a key point in the transition. Unveiled in April 2024 by the UK Government, the SAF mandate will, subject to parliamentary approval, come into force in January 2025 and require 10% of all jet fuel in flights leaving the UK to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel by 2030. Concurrently, due to a complex blend of materials, tyres are highly durable and not naturally biodegradable. It is estimated that 31 million metric tonnes (MT) of vehicle tyres reach the end of their original lifespan each year. Crucially, two thirds of those ELTs are recovered in an unsustainable manner, via methods that are being banned for pollution, such as landfills or incineration. Instead of condemning tyres to the end of their life cycle, what if new, sustainable products could be created? Increasing circularity and reducing emissions across the value chain.
Wastefront CEO Vianney Vales: “End-of-life tyres are a major source of global CO2 emissions and the problem is only getting worse, with previously accepted solutions being banned because of hazards, beyond emissions. The Wastefront Blueprint tackles this head-on by providing a sustainable solution that chemically recycles ELTs. Investing in Wastefront is a highly cost-effective way to reduce emissions of CO2 and the release of other pollutants, while creating value with our recycled products.”
Wastefront combines conventional methods with our own proprietary technology. We minimise the environmental impact typically associated with traditional tyre pyrolysis and are ready to deploy, scale, and bring products to market. Our first commercial plant in Sunderland is fully permitted and shovel-ready. Once fully operational in 2025, the plant will provide Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Sustainable Chemicals at an unprecedentedly low price point. This will be achieved through pyrolytic reactors which utilise a form of thermal decomposition known as ‘pyrolysis’ to break down a tyre’s materials at elevated temperatures. By sending granulated tyres through reactors, a combustible gas is produced, in addition to liquid hydrocarbons, carbon black, water, and heat. The gas is circled back to fuel the furnace and the liquid hydrocarbons undergo a refining process, as a means of improving the quality of the product. The carbon black is then washed and milled to upgrade its chemical properties. It can be used as a reinforcement to natural rubber in tyre production, mechanical rubber goods, or plastics fillers. The heat generated is repurposed locally. Our pyrolytic reactors comply with all local environmental regulations and Wastefront is continually working to ensure compliance with all planned future regulation updates. The gas purification system removes pollutants, organic compounds, and harmful solid particles. The purified gas is also used to feed the reactors while they are operating, promoting self-supply for the pyrolysis process without an extra heating source. The technology complies with emissions levels and specifications established by governing bodies and regulators.