Plastic/Tyres Pyrolysis Project in South Africa – Turning Waste into Energy

South Africa Plastic and Tyres Pyrolysis Project

1. Project Background & Challenges

A metal smelting plant in South Africa faced two pressing challenges in its operations:

Accumulation of non-recyclable waste: The plant generated large volumes of plastic and rubber waste that could not be treated through conventional recycling methods. The mounting piles created increased disposal costs and environmental burdens, making waste reduction an urgent priority.
High fuel costs: The smelting plant was heavily reliant on expensive traditional fuels. This dependency drove up operating costs and reduced profitability, creating the need for a breakthrough energy solution.

Waste Tyres in South Africa Customer's Factory — Waste Tyres in South Africa Customer’s Factory

Waste Plastic in South Africa Customer's Factory — Waste Plastic in South Africa Customer’s Factory

2. Goal for Change

The client sought an integrated waste management and energy solution with the following objectives:

Efficiently process large volumes of waste plastics and tyres, turning non-recyclable materials into valuable outputs.
Solve the issue of wax oil blockage during plastic pyrolysis to ensure smooth commissioning and reliable operation.
Produce alternative fuel to substantially reduce operating costs, with pyrolysis oil to be used in aluminum melting furnaces and old trucks.

3. Action and Solution

Upon receiving the inquiry, Beston Group’s technical team responded swiftly with a customized solution:

Equipment configuration: Two sets of BLJ-16 (Q345R) plastic/tyres pyrolysis units were recommended to efficiently process the waste streams.
Wax oil blockage prevention: Plastic pyrolysis plant was equipped with a catalytic tower to minimize the risk of wax oil clogging, thereby ensuring stable and safe operation.
Oil quality improvement: A distillation system was included to refine pyrolysis oil into higher-quality, cleaner fuel oil suitable for the client’s industrial applications.

Plastic and Tyres Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa

BLJ-16 Plastic and Tyres Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa

4. Results Achieved

The project has been successfully installed and commissioned, delivering the following outcomes:

Processing Capacity

Plastics: 8–10 tons per batch, with an annual processing volume of up to 3,000 tons.
Tyres: 10–12 tons per batch, with an annual processing volume of up to 4,000 tons.

Cost Savings

The primary end product, high-calorific-value fuel oil, is now directly used in aluminum melting furnaces and the client’s fleet of old trucks, dramatically reducing fuel procurement costs.