Scottish government approves pioneering tyre recycling plant in Renfrewshire

The Scottish Government has granted planning approval for a state-of-the-art tyre recycling facility in Linwood, Renfrewshire, aimed at tackling the growing issue of waste tyres across the country.

The facility, managed by SSH Recycling, a Renfrewshire-based company, will be the first of its kind in the UK, designed to recycle or repurpose every part of waste tyres.

Construction is set to begin in 2025, with operations expected to commence by 2027. The plant is projected to create up to 80 jobs, including scientific positions and apprenticeships, contributing to local economic growth and generating an investment of over £120 million in the West of Scotland.

“This approval marks a significant milestone in Scotland’s transition to a circular economy,” said Robert Keay, Director of Operations at SSH Recycling.

“By converting waste tyres into valuable materials, we are tackling a major environmental challenge while helping other industries reduce their carbon footprints. This plant sets a new benchmark for sustainable resource management, creates local employment, boosts the local economy, and helps protect Scotland’s environment.”

Once operational, the plant will process up to 100,000 tonnes of waste tyres annually, which is equivalent to more than one million commercial tyres and nearly four million passenger tyres. It will be a carbon-negative facility, preventing approximately 2.7 tonnes of CO₂ emissions for every tonne of waste tyres processed.

Recycled materials from the facility will be used as a substitute for virgin rubber in new tyre manufacturing, as well as in industrial and construction products.

The Linwood site has been designed with flood-resistant infrastructure to address local environmental concerns. Processing equipment will be elevated to mitigate flood risks, and the buildings are engineered to accommodate floodwaters without causing displacement to nearby areas.

Additionally, the facility will feature an on-site energy system powered by microturbines, initially using green gas with plans to transition to green hydrogen, generating low-carbon energy for the plant's operations.