Italy's Pirelli Group

"Turning Tire Refuse Into Fuel"

What's the most efficient way to convert urban refuse into an environmentally sound fuel source?
That was the challenge of an innovative new process developed recently by Pirelli Group, one of the world's largest tire manufacturers, with the help of MWH Italy.

Reducing Waste and Coal Consumption

Urban refuse has become a growing global concern. The average mid-sized city in a developed country produces about 30 million pounds of solid waste. Pirelli estimates it alone adds about one million tons of tires to the world's stock each year.

As a global industry leader, Pirelli Group wanted to examine these waste management issues and spearhead new environmental solutions. Working closely with MWH, Pirelli invented a method that not only will reduce the quantity of garbage going into landfills, but also reduce Italy’s coal consumption.

Creating Alternative Fuel Source

Pirelli's proprietary process allows for harnessing and increasing the thermal content of municipal solid waste by adding waste tires. The result is an ecologically friendly and easily handled refuse-derived fuel with high thermal content.

MWH is currently developing a full-scale production facility outside of Milan. This facility will use this process to turn urban refuse into a clean-burning fuel. Solid waste, old tires and unrecycled plastic will all be converted in this new process.

Working closely with Pirelli, MWH designed and engineered the new plant as well as provided construction management and value engineering services. We also will oversee the initial operations.

Industrial testing of the process is underway now. The group hopes to provide an alternative fuel source for Italy's national coal-fired power generation facilities and private cement kilns in the near future.