Pyrum Innovations AG announced that it is taking the next step in its cooperation with Mercedes-Benz AG. In future, the company will recycle several hundred tonnes of used tyres from the Mercedes-Benz Used Parts Centre every year. The company produces pyrolysis oil from the ELTs using its own innovative process.

The pyrolysis oil produced is then supplied to the cooperation partner BASF SE, which uses the oil as a raw material in combination with biomethane in the production of virgin plastics for the manufacture of Mercedes-Benz vehicle components. The used tyres are delivered from the Mercedes-Benz Used Parts Centre and disposed of at Pyrum's main plant in Dillingen. Pyrum has already been supplying pyrolysis oil to BASF since last year.

BASF then feeds this into its Verbund together with biomethane from agricultural waste at the start of production and uses it to produce a virgin plastic that is certified according to the so-called "mass balance process". Since last year, the first series-production models such as the EQE and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class have been equipped with door handles. Furthermore, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class will receive a crash absorber made from the recycled plastic material.

Additional possible applications of the innovative recycled material are being explored.