Viva Energy has achieved another milestone in demonstrating the critical role it could play in Australia’s circular economy and low-carbon fuel production.
The Geelong Refinery successfully processed 10 tonnes of tyre pyrolysis oil alongside crude oil to produce a full range of fuels and products.
“The refinery’s ability to process pyrolysis oil from both tyres and waste plastic demonstrates the versatility of our facility and our commitment to supporting a lower-carbon future,” said Lachlan Pfeiffer, Viva Energy Chief Strategy Officer.
This achievement follows a similar trial using waste plastic-derived oil in May, demonstrating its capability to process at scale oils made from waste and the critical role the facility will play in Australia’s sustainable future. The development is a significant step in plans to establish tyre-recycling in Melbourne.
Earlier this year, Viva Energy signed a memorandum of understanding with Klean Industries, a Canadian resource recovery and advanced recycling provider, to study the potential to create a tyre-recycling facility in Melbourne capable of processing up to 80,000 tonnes of used tyres per year.
“Viva Energy is proud to play a role in the production of lower-carbon fuels and products and reduce the number of tyres that go into landfill,” Pfeiffer added.
The tyre pyrolysis oil, imported from Poland, was processed using Klean Industries’ advanced thermal conversion technology. “This achievement not only confirms the quality and compatibility of our recovered oils with existing refining infrastructure but also demonstrates the commercial viability of converting end-of-life tyres into high-value, low-carbon fuels and chemicals,” said Jesse Klinkhamer, CEO of Klean Industries.
“Tyre pyrolysis oil is increasingly recognised internationally, particularly in the EU, as a low-carbon alternative,” noted Lina Goodman, CEO of Tyre Stewardship Australia. “We welcome initiatives that showcase the viability of these solutions at scale.”
