Approval clears the way for construction of Bolder’s first European recycling facility, converting end-of-life tires into recovered carbon black and pyrolysis oil.
Bolder Industries has achieved a significant milestone in its European expansion plans after securing the final permits required to develop its commercial-scale waste tire recycling facility at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges in Belgium. The approval removes the last major regulatory hurdle and allows the company to move forward with construction of its first industrial operation in Europe.
The facility will be located in the NextGen District at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a hub focused on circular economy and sustainable industrial projects. The project has received support from the European Union’s Innovation Fund and private investment partners, reflecting growing interest in technologies that convert waste materials into valuable industrial resources.
Bolder’s Antwerp plant is designed to process millions of end-of-life tires annually through its proprietary continuous thermal pyrolysis technology. The process recovers valuable materials from waste tires, including recovered carbon black marketed as BolderBlack and pyrolysis oil sold under the BolderOil brand. These products can be used in tire manufacturing, rubber goods, plastics, coatings, fuels, and chemical production, helping reduce reliance on virgin fossil-based raw materials.
According to the company, the facility will be developed in phases. The first phase is expected to establish substantial processing capacity while creating more than 50 direct jobs in the Antwerp region. Future expansion phases are planned to further increase production and strengthen Europe’s circular materials supply chain.
The project forms part of a broader strategy to advance sustainable tire recycling and resource recovery across Europe. Recovered carbon black generated through tire pyrolysis can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with conventional carbon black production, making it an increasingly attractive material for manufacturers pursuing sustainability goals. Scientific studies have also highlighted the role of recovered carbon black in supporting circular economy initiatives within the tire and rubber industries.
Bolder Industries has already commercialized its recycling technology in North America and is expanding its global footprint to meet rising demand for sustainable raw materials. The Antwerp facility is expected to serve as the company’s flagship European operation, supplying recovered carbon black and pyrolysis oil to customers across the region.
Industry observers view the final permit approval as an important step for Europe’s tire recycling sector. With increasing regulatory pressure to reduce waste and carbon emissions, investments in advanced recycling technologies are gaining momentum. The Antwerp project is expected to contribute to these efforts by diverting end-of-life tires from disposal routes and transforming them into valuable industrial feedstocks.
Construction of the facility is scheduled to begin in 2026, with commercial operations expected to commence in 2027. Once operational, the plant will help strengthen Europe’s circular economy ambitions while supporting the transition toward more sustainable manufacturing and material recovery practices.