Wood
Forestry residues and wood waste are converted into biocarbon, pyrolysis gas and pyrolysis oil through controlled pyrolysis.
Pyrolysis: Turning Residuals into Valuable Resources
Pyrolysis is an advanced, precisely controlled, industrial technology that converts waste into valuable resources and clean energy. Residual materials such as biomass and end-of-life tires (ELT) contain valuable carbon and energy. Pyrolysis unlocks that value by converting these resources into products that can be used in industrial processes, energy systems, and new circular value chains.
At Vow, we help industries recover resources, reduce dependence on fossil fuels, and create value from underutilized feedstocks, through pyrolysis.
What is Pyrolysis?
Pyrolysis is a thermal process in which carbon-based materials are heated in the absence of oxygen. The reactor’s temperature and processing time directly affect the final product. Careful control helps maximize performance, quality, and efficiency. For unlike incineration, the material does not burn. Instead, it is transformed into three valuable products:
- Biocarbon
- Pyrolysis gas
- Pyrolysis oil
Feedstock
Pyrolysis is a flexible technology for a range of carbon-containing feedstock. In Vow we focus on biomass and ELT.
Biomass
Biomass feedstocks include:
- Forestry residues
- Wood waste
These materials can be converted into renewable carbon products and energy carriers that support steel manufacturing and resource-intensive industries reduce their carbon footprints.
End-of-Life Tires (ELT)
End-of-life tires represent a significant resource opportunity. Through pyrolysis, valuable biocarbon, pyrolysis gas and oil can be recovered and returned to industrial value chains instead of being lost as waste.
Valuable Products
Biocarbon
Biocarbon is a carbon-rich material that can replace fossil-based carbon in energy-intensive industries such as steelmaking, metallurgical and manufacturing processes. By reducing fossil carbon consumption while maintaining process performance, it contributes to industrial decarbonization.
Pyrolysis Gas
Pyrolysis gas is an energy-rich gas that can be reused for on-site heat generation and electricity production. By substituting fossil fuels, pyrolysis gas improves overall process efficiency and reduces emissions.
Pyrolysis Oil
Pyrolysis oil, also referred to as bio-oil, is produced by cooling and condensing process vapors generated during pyrolysis. The oil is a dark and viscous liquid that can be used for process heat generation or further refined into higher-value products, including fuels and chemical feedstocks.
Applications
Biocarbon for Metallurgy
Demand for renewable alternatives to fossil carbon is increasing across the metals industry.
Biocarbon produced through pyrolysis can be used in processes such as iron ore sintering, steel production, and metal reduction processes, helping industries progress toward lower-emission operations.
End-of-Life Tire (ELT) Recycling
Pyrolysis provides a pathway for recovering value from end-of-life tires (ELT) by converting them into useful biocarbon (rCB), pyrolysis oil and gas.
These recovered materials can be reintroduced as raw materials, carbon products, and energy carriers into the petrochemical industry value chains.
Industrial Energy Integration
Recovered pyrolysis gas, oil and process heat can be integrated into industrial energy systems, supporting efficient use of resources while creating additional value from the feedstock.
Why Vow?
Vow combines advanced thermal processing know-how with the engineering, manufacturing, and project execution capabilities required for industrial-scale deployment. We work with customers to evaluate feedstocks, define product requirements, and develop solutions tailored to their operational and commercial objectives. Whether the goal is biocarbon production, resource recovery, energy utilization, or circular industrial development, our approach is built around creating long-term value from residual materials.
Exploring a Pyrolysis Project?
Every pyrolysis project starts with understanding the feedstock, desired products, and business objectives.
Key factors such as feedstock characteristics, available volumes, product requirements, site conditions, and integration opportunities all influence the optimal solution.
Whether you are investigating opportunities in biomass, end-of-life tires, or other carbon-rich materials, an early assessment can help identify the most effective technical and commercial pathway.
Contact Vow to discuss your project and explore how pyrolysis can create value from your resources.
Preparing for an Initial Discussion with Vow
- To support an efficient initial evaluation, it is helpful to share available information about:
Feedstock
- Type, characteristics, estimated annual volumes and logistics
- Current handling, treatment, or disposal practices
Products and Markets
- Project objectives
- Interest in biocarbon, pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas, or energy recovery
- Target product applications and potential customers
Site and Infrastructure
- Project location
- Available utilities and integration opportunities
- Site constraints, permitting, and environmental considerations
Commercial Objectives
- Business drivers
- Project timeline and maturity
- Ownership, partnership, or investment plans
- Sustainability and regulatory requirements
- Providing information in these areas enables Vow to assess potential technical and commercial pathways and identify any additional data needed as the project develops.
Products from Pyrolysis
Pyrolysis converts waste into valuable products that enable energy recovery and industrial use.
Biocarbon
Biocarbon is a carbon-rich solid material used as a renewable carbon substitute in industrial applications.
Pyrolysis gas
Pyrolysis gas is an energy-rich gas that can be reused for on-site heat and power generation, reducing fossil fuel consumption.
Pyrolysis oil
Pyrolysis oil is a liquid energy carrier used for energy recovery or as a low-carbon additive in industrial processes.
Sustainability and Circular Economy
Pyrolysis supports circular economy principles by converting waste into valuable energy and carbon-based products instead of disposal. Through controlled thermochemical conversion (high temperature and no oxygen), materials are kept in use while emissions and landfill volumes are reduced.
By enabling carbon recovery in biocarbon and energy recovery through gas and oil, pyrolysis contributes to decarbonization and long-term climate mitigation across industrial value chains.
Key sustainability benefits
Pyrolysis enables emission reduction, carbon recovery and circular use of resources across industries.
Carbon recovery and sequestration
Pyrolysis converts biomass into stable biocarbon supporting industrial carbon reduction strategies.
Waste valorization and emission reduction
By transforming waste into energy and reusable materials, pyrolysis reduces landfill use and lowers emissions compared to conventional waste treatment.
Energy recovery and industrial integration
Energy recovered from pyrolysis gas and oil can be integrated into industrial processes, improving overall energy efficiency.