Decarbonisation Technology November 2025 Issue

All these steps are using conventional equipment widely spread in oil & gas industry

Gas

Metal Textile

End-of-life t yres

Light oil (350˚C–)

<5 wt% (*)

Pre-processing (if needed) Rubber crumbs at controlled and small size (3-5 mm)

Gas separation Chain of cooling and separation drums

~35 wt% (*)

Crumbs (3-5 mm)

Distillation Euent cut separation Residue purge

Internal solvent

Dissolution drum Mild conditions for rubber crumbs dissolution

Heavy oil (350˚C+)

Slurry separation Separation and drying to extract the liquid from rCB

~25 wt% (*)

Conversion drum Heat of dissolved crumbs to recover rCB

Post processing Milling & pelletisation of commercial rCB

rCB

~35 wt% (*)

(*) yields based on crumb basis

Figure 4 Solvium process description

operational experts, feedstock suppliers, offtakers, and investors to ensure that technical feasibility is matched by commercial scalability. It also participates in pre-competitive research with industry consortia, sharing data on feedstock characterisation, process optimisation, and lifecycle impacts. Such transparency accelerates standardisation – a critical step for regulatory approval and market acceptance. principles is reshaping industrial ecosystems at an accelerating pace, propelled by evolving regulatory landscapes, stakeholder expectations, and emerging market opportunities. Looking ahead to 2030, Axens envisions a deeper integration of circular solutions into the heart of industrial operations. This evolution will be marked by increased adoption of renewable energy sources, advanced material sorting and recovery technologies, and digital tools enabling real-time traceability and performance monitoring. The expansion of cross-sector partnerships – connecting waste generators, recyclers, and end users – will be instrumental in accelerating project deployment and maximising impact. In this future, waste is no longer a constraint – it becomes a resource. Conclusion and outlook The transition toward circular economy

black (rCB) by avoiding condensation (coking) reactions. The process is fed with granulated rubber from scrap tyres (crumb rubber), produced by shredding the tyres. This crumb rubber is fibre and steel-free. Figure 4 shows each step of the process. Granulates of ELTs are mixed with heavy oil from the process and heated up to 400°C. Under temperature and solvent effect, rubbers are depolymerised and therefore separate from carbon black and other solids present. At the end of the reaction step, a separation gas/slurry occurs. Slurry is filtered to recover the recycled carbon black and the liquid (heavy oil). This process recovers gas, TDO, and rCB. Benefits include: • Diverts ELTs from landfills and incineration. • Generates feedstocks for the chemical and fuel sectors. • Meets upcoming EU standards for recycled rubber content in new products. The current study focuses on mapping the full value chain, involving ELT granulate providers, technology licensors, and offtakers, to ensure technical feasibility and market readiness from granulates to end high value products. The result is a holistic value chain that diverts ELTs from landfills and incineration while supplying industries with sustainable alternatives. Collaboration and market readiness Circular economy deployment is not a solo act. Axens collaborates with technology developers,

Cécile Plain cecile.plain@axensgroup.com