Montreal-based Pyrowave has achieved a significant breakthrough in its microwave-based depolymerization technology, marking a pioneering moment with the production of finished products containing 100% recycled styrene. Collaborating with Michelin and Knauf Industries in France, Pyrowave successfully incorporated plastic waste recycled in Canada using its innovative technology into finished elastomer and plastic goods.

Remarkably, tests conducted on these products have shown that the properties and performance of elastomers created from recycled styrene were indistinguishable from those produced using virgin fossil-sourced materials. Michelin, in particular, has taken a substantial step by manufacturing a four-ton prototype batch of styrene-butadiene rubber at its facility in Bassens, France, with Pyrowave's technology. The styrene-butadiene rubber, made entirely from 100% recycled styrene, has not only met but exceeded all quality standards. This achievement represents a crucial milestone in further testing the incorporation of recycled styrene in tires, both for laboratory assessments and track applications.

Knauf Industries, a key player in the supply of expanded polystyrene packaging, technical components, and insulation products, utilized Pyrowave's recycled styrene through its Knauf Circular initiative to create expanded polystyrene parts. Impressively, the resulting products have also undergone rigorous laboratory testing and have demonstrated equivalence with products crafted from fossil-based virgin styrene. Furthermore, migration tests have confirmed that these materials are suitable for use in food-contact applications.

The significance of these tests lies in the fact that styrene-butadiene rubber and expanded polystyrene are technically advanced polymers widely employed in various industries. These production processes are particularly sensitive to contamination. Therefore, the success of these tests serves as a testament to the reliability of Pyrowave's technology and its ability to replace fossil styrene with recycled styrene in technical applications. This transition not only maintains product quality but also contributes positively to the product's environmental footprint. According to a recent life-cycle analysis commissioned by Pyrowave, this technology reduces greenhouse gas emissions by an impressive 82% and promotes the utilization of waste plastics as a valuable raw material, aligning with the principles of a circular economy.

Jocelyn Doucet, President and CEO of Pyrowave, highlighted the company's journey and achievements. He emphasized that Pyrowave's technology, which has already reached industrial scale and undergone extensive piloting over the past decade, primarily focuses on depolymerizing polystyrene and converting it into valuable styrene monomer. Doucet stated, "Today's announcement underscores that our solution seamlessly integrates into the entire value chain, offering exceptional quality, robustness, and commercial viability. It also highlights our commitment to collaborative partnerships throughout the value chain."

Pyrowave's approach, utilizing microwave technology to break down polymers into their constituent parts, offers several advantages over traditional thermal-based advanced recycling processes, which predominantly rely on fuel-based heating of polymers. This microwave-based technology enables rapid and high-intensity heating, resulting in an impressive yield of nearly 100% liquid products in the output. In contrast, conventional thermal-based processes have slower heating rates and consequently yield only about half of what Pyrowave's technology achieves. This not only enhances productivity but also improves economic feasibility. Moreover, the energy efficiency of microwave-based processes allows for the utilization of renewable energy sources, a pivotal step toward reducing carbon emissions in the chemical industry.

In essence, Pyrowave's latest accomplishment signifies a significant stride toward a more sustainable and circular approach to plastic utilization. The successful incorporation of 100% recycled styrene into finished products by industry leaders such as Michelin and Knauf Industries not only highlights the effectiveness and reliability of Pyrowave's technology but also sets a promising precedent for the broader adoption of innovative recycling methods in the pursuit of a more environmentally conscious and resource-efficient future.