Pyrolysis plant in South Africa is primarily used to recycle waste plastics, waste tires, and oil sludge into pyrolysis oil. This alternative fuel can be utilized in fields such as metal smelting and boiler power generation. Investors have recognized this opportunity in South Africa and have initiated practical projects. Continue reading to learn how Beston Group cooperates with these investors.
Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa: Plastic/Tyre/Oil Sludge Recycling Solution
Plastic Recycling
- Local Challenge: South Africa generates between 2.37 million and 2.4 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. With a per capita plastic waste generation of around 41 kg/year, South Africa exceeds the global average of 29 kg/year.
- Plastic Types for Pyrolysis: PE, PP, PS, ABS, and other plastics without chlorine and oxygen.
- End Pyrolysis Products: plastic pyrolysis oil, solid residues, combustible gas.
Tyre Recycling
- Local Challenge: South Africa generates between 12 million and 16 million waste tires annually. In terms of weight, an estimated 170,266 tonnes of waste tyres are produced each year.
- Tyre Types for Pyrolysis: various discarded tires from vehicles
- End Pyrolysis Products: tyre pyrolysis oil, carbon black, steel wire, and combustible gas.
Oil Sludge Recycling
- Local Challenge: In 2023, the South African government announced plans to intensify oil and gas exploration to enhance energy security and industrialization. This will lead to a substantial amount of hazardous oil sludge that requires proper management.
- Oil Sludge Types for Pyrolysis: drilling cuttings, tank bottom oil sludge, scum bottom mud, oil-contaminated soil, etc.
- End Pyrolysis Products: pyrolysis oil, combustible gas, and other solid residues.
Parameters of Pyrolysis Plant for Sale in South Africa
BLL-30 Model Recommend
- Process 6,000 tons plastic waste annually
- Process 10,000 tons tire waste annually
- Process 12,000 tons oil sludge annually
- 30 day continuous operation
- High automation: 2 operators required
Batch Type: BLJ-20
- Process 4,000 tons plastic waste annually
- Process 6,000 tons tire waste annually
- Process 7,500 tons oil sludge annually
- Get naphtha & non-standard diesel in one step
Batch Type: BLJ-16
- Process 3,000 tons plastic waste annually
- Process 4,000 tons tire waste annually
Process 6,000 tons oil sludge annually - 1 furnace/day
| Model | BLL-30 | BLJ-20 | BLJ-16 Standard | BLJ-16 TDU | BLJ-16 WAX | BLJ-16 CAT | BLJ-16 ULTRA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON | BESTON |
| Time to Market | 2025 | 2025 | 2013 | 2013 | 2022 | 2022 | 2022 |
| Motor Brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | Chinese brand | ABB Explosion-proof |
| Suitable Raw Materials | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge | Whole tire<120cm; Tire blocks<15cm; Oil soil with liquid content<30% | Oil sludge; Landing oil sludge; Drilling waste; Tank bottom oil sludge | Waste plastic bales (Max.0.9*0.9*1.6m) | Waste plastic bales (Max.0.9*0.9*1.6m) | Waste plastics; Tires; Oil sludge |
| Input Capacity (Max.) | Waste plastic pellets: 0.8-1.05t/h Rubber powder: 1.25-1.5t/h Oil sludge:1.8-2.3t/h | Waste plastic pellets: 12-13t/d Tire: 18-20t/d Oil sludge:20-25t/d | Whole tire <120cm or Tire blocks<15cm: 10-12t/batch Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil soil: 16-18t/batch | 16-18t/batch | 8-10t/batch | 8-10t/batch | Waste plastic bales: 8-10t/batch Whole tire <120cm or Tire blocks<15cm: 10-12t/batch Sidewall removed tire: 15-16t/batch Oil sludge: 16-18t/batch |
| Working Method | Fully Continuous | Batch | Batch | Batch | Batch | Batch | Batch |
| Final Oil Quality | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha | Pyrolysis oil, Non-standard diesel and naphtha | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil | Pyrolysis oil with wax | Pyrolysis oil with naphtha | Pyrolysis oil Pyrolysis oil with wax or naphtha |
| Reactor Material | 304/310S Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel and 304/316L/310S Stainless steel | Q345R Boiler steel | 304 Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel | 304 Stainless steel |
| Reactor Life Span (Years) | 5-8 | Q345R Boiler steel 2-3 304/316L Stainless steel 5-8 310S Stainless steel 8-10 | 2-3 | 5-8 | 5-8 | 5-8 | 5-8 |
| Guarantee (Months) | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Delivery Time (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 60 | 45 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 90 |
| Land Space Required (L*W*H*m) | 70*20*10 | 40*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*13*8 | 33*26*8 |
| Packing | 20*6*3m in bulk+13*40HQ | 1*40FR+4*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ | 1*40FR+3*40HQ+1*20GP | 1*40FR+8*40HQ |
| Installation Period (Calendar Days) | 60-90 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 45 | 60 |
3 Key Technical Advantages Developed for Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa
Fractional Distillation Technology
Integrates pyrolysis and distillation processes into a single machine, enabling the production of naphtha (below 200°C) and non-standard diesel (above 200°C) in one step.
- Lower investment cost and and operation cost.
- Higher oil yield.
30 Day Continuous Operation Technology
Advanced oil-gas anti-polymerization condensation design prevents olefin polymerization, which can clog oil-gas pipelines and machinery.
- Larger processing capacity.
- Less downtion and loss.
Plastic Catalytic Dewaxing Technology
Uses granular molecular sieve catalysts for plastic catalytic pyrolysis, which prevent wax oil clogging in pipes and solve storage and transportation issues.
- High production efficiency (⬆200%).
- Bestter oil quality and higher oil yield.
Benchmark Case Study: Plastic and Tyre Pyrolysis Project in South Africa
The client is a metal and waste recycling company. Their new operational goals are to process large volumes of non-recyclable waste and reduce fuel costs at their smelting facilities. To achieve this, they have adopted a pyrolysis solution.
Project Overview
- Raw Materials: waste tires and plastics
- Pyrolysis Oil Use: Fuel for aluminum melting furnaces and old trucks
- Configuration: 2 × BLJ-16 (Q345R) tyre pyrolysis plant + 1 × BZJ-10 distillation system
- Processing Capacity: 10–12 tons of tires per batch and 8–10 tons of plastics per batch
Project Execution
Tyre to oil plant has been successfully installed, commissioned, and is now fully operational.
- Project Start Date: June 7, 2023
- Project Operation Date: February 26, 2025
- Project Acceptance Date: March 12, 2025
- Total Project Duration: 631 days
Business Value
- Tyre fuel oil Value: The customer will recover pyrolysis oil from waste tires and plastics, meeting energy demands of metal smelting business.
- Tyre carbon black Value: The byproduct, pyrolysis carbon black, has various applications in industries like rubber products and inks and can earn profit through direct sales.
- The combustible gas from pyrolysis can fuel pyrolysis plant itself, without need for additional energy sources.
Profit of Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa: Product Yield, Application & Market Price
The profitability of a pyrolysis plant in South Africa is driven by the high recovery rate of valuable end-products from waste tires, plastics, and oil sludge. With the rising cost of industrial fuels and the local demand for steel and carbon black, pyrolysis technology offers a lucrative circular economy opportunity. The following data highlights the typical yields and current market valuations in the South African context.
Pyrolysis Product Yield
| Raw Material | End Products and Yields (%) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| End Product 1 | End Product 2 | End Product 3 | End Product 4 | |
| Plastic | Pyrolysis Oil: 40%–95% | Solid Residues | / | Syngas: Varies |
| Oil Sludge | Pyrolysis Oil: Varies | Sand | Water | Syngas: Varies |
| Tire | Pyrolysis Oil: 35–45% | Carbon Black: 30–35% | Steel Wire: 8–15% | Syngas: 8–15% |
Pyrolysis Product Marking Price
| Product | Specification / Grade | Price Range (ZAR/ton) | Price Range (USD/ton) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pyrolysis Oil | Crude Oil (Fuel Grade) | 8,000 – 12,000 | 430 – 650 |
| Refined Oil (Diesel Grade) | 12,000 – 16,000 | 650 – 860 | |
| Carbon Black | Crude Carbon Black (Untreated) | 1,500 – 3,000 | 80 – 160 |
| Refined Carbon Black (N330/N220) | 4,000 – 6,000 | 215 – 320 | |
| High Purity / Pelletized | 6,000 – 8,000 | 320 – 430 | |
| Steel Wire | Waste Tire Wire (Clean) | 3,000 – 5,000 | 160 – 270 |
How Does Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa Work?
Operating an oil sludge/plastic/tyre pyrolysis plant in South Africa requires trained personnel and adherence to safety regulations. A simplified overview of the process includes:
01 Feedstock Pretreatment
Ensure the size of the waste material is appropriate for the specific pyrolysis machine model.
- For batch type pyrolysis plants: feedstock size generally requires no treatment and can be fed directly.
- For continuous type pyrolysis plants: feedstock size must be treated before feeding.
02 Feeding
The prepared feedstock is loaded into the pyrolysis reactor manually or automatically.
03 Pyrolysis
04 Product Collection
- Liquid Pyrolysis Oil: Oil gas produced by pyrolysis is cooled and condensed into liquid oil, which is collected into oil tanks for storage.
- Solid Residue/Carbon Black: Solid products are safely discharged from the system through a water-cooled screw conveyor.
- Combustible gas: The combustible gas generated during pyrolysis is directly recycled and reused as fuel for the reactor, without additional manual collection.
Favorable Factors for Investing in Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa
Favorable Social Conditions
As the second-largest economy in Africa, South Africa offers a relatively stable investment environment with well-established financial, legal, and infrastructure systems(transportation networks, energy grids, etc.). These conditions are crucial for the smooth operation of pyrolysis facilities.
Growing Energy Demand
South Africa is undergoing economic growth and industrialization, bringing increasing energy demands. Pyrolysis Plant in South Africa not only helps manage waste but also produces pyrolysis oil fuels and other chemical feedstocks to meet market demands.
Environmental Policy Drive
South Africa’s environmental policies encourage the adoption of sustainable recycling technologies, including pyrolysis. For instance, the South African Plastics Pact sets targets for plastic packaging recycling (100% reusable, recyclable, or compostable packaging; 70% effective recycling of plastic packaging).
Affordable Land and Labor Costs
The relatively low land and labor costs in South Africa contribute to reduced startup and operational expenses for pyrolysis projects, enhancing their economic viability for investors.
Attainable Project Approval
The R&D and manufacturing of pyrolysis equipment require high-level technical support. Internationally, pyrolysis technology is mature and widely commercially deployed. The South African government supports such projects to meet industrial upgrading needs, facilitating easier project approvals.
Attraction of International Investment
South Africa’s strategic coastal location and its status as an emerging market attract international investors, providing extensive financing channels for pyrolysis projects.
Start Your Pyrolysis Business in South Africa Now
Beston Group is your go-to expert in pyrolysis. We boast extensive project experience with over 100 successful cases worldwide. We specialize in innovative technologies, holding patents like catalytic pyrolysis dewaxing technology. We provide comprehensive services, including technical consulting, installation guidance, operational training, etc. Contact us today to set up oil sludge/plastic/tyre pyrolysis plant in South Africa.