What Circular Energy does

Circular Energy (Energía Circular SpA) is a Chilean private company founded in 2017 and headquartered in Penco, Biobío region. The firm operates a single pyrolysis plant with a daily processing capacity of 30 tons, equivalent to approximately 10,500 tons of end-of-life tires (NFU) per year. Its core function is transforming waste tires into three commercially specified sub-products: Pyroil (a liquid fuel with a calorific value of 10,500 kcal/kg), Carbon Black (a solid fuel/pigment with 6,900 kcal/kg), and recovered Steel Wire. The underlying technology is industrial pyrolysis — thermal decomposition in the absence of oxygen — applied at a single-site, small-team scale (1–10 employees).

The company's primary customer base is Chilean tire importers that are obligated under Ley REP (Ley de Responsabilidad Extendida del Productor) to meet 25% recycling and 50% collection targets for end-of-life tires. Revenue is generated through two streams: (1) sale of pyrolysis-derived sub-products to industrial offtakers, and (2) NFU waste-management fees paid by importers seeking compliance. Commercial activity is conducted through direct outreach (phone, WhatsApp, website) and industry events such as ExpoCorma 2024.

Operationally, the firm is led by General Manager Fernando Sáenz Poch and Plant/New Business Manager Mauricio Borguero. Strategic relationships include Corfo (Chile's economic development agency), Gulliver (Biobío Zero circular-economy initiative), and Proterm (carbon footprint study partner). The company holds a certified Crime Prevention Model under Chilean Law N° 20.393 and has aligned operations with the updated Law N° 21.595 on Economic Crimes. No funding rounds, revenue figures, or AI/ML capabilities are disclosed.

Name

Circular Energy

Legal name

Energía Circular SpA

Website

https://energiacircularspa.cl

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Circular Energy (Energía Circular SpA) is a Chilean pyrolysis operator founded in 2017 that converts end-of-life tires into Pyroil, Carbon Black, and Steel Wire for Chilean tire importers subject to Ley REP.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tire Recycling and Pyrolysis Products

NAICS

Tire Retreading (326212), Rubber Product Manufacturing (3262)

SIC

Tires & Inner Tubes (3011)

akta.pro primary industry

Tire Recycling & Processing (Shredding, TDF, Pyrolysis Feedstock) (IMANAMAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gasification & Pyrolysis-to-Power (Waste/Biomass Advanced Thermal) (EUACAIAL), Tire Recycling, Disposal & Sustainability Services (TLAKADAI), Material Reuse & Upcycling Services (Non-recycling Transformation) (EUAIANAJ)

Keywords

• Tire pyrolysis recycling
• End-of-life tire processing
• Recycled carbon black
• Industrial waste valorization
• Circular economy services

Headquarters

HQ city

Penco, Biobio

HQ country

Chile

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Recycled Product Sales: Sale of pyrolysis-derived products including Pyroil (liquid fuel with 10500 kcal/kg calorific value), Carbon Black (solid fuel with 6900 kcal/kg calorific value, also used as pigment or raw material for new tires), and steel wire recovered from tires.
2. Industrial Waste Treatment Services: Treatment and valorization of industrial waste, specifically receiving and processing End-of-Life Tires (NFU) for companies requiring compliant disposal under Law REP.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Circular Energy operates a 30 tons-per-day pyrolysis plant in Penco, Biobío, Chile that transforms End-of-Life Tires (NFU) into three commercial by-products: Pyroil (liquid fuel with 10,500 kcal/kg calorific value), Carbon Black (solid fuel with 6,900 kcal/kg calorific value, usable as pigment or tire raw material), and recycled Steel Wire. The company also receives and treats NFU on behalf of tire-importing companies seeking compliance with Chile's Law REP, which obliges importers to recycle 25% and collect 50% of tires placed on the market.

Product overview

Circular Energy operates a unified pyrolysis-based recycling platform that transforms End-of-Life Tires (NFU) into valuable products. The company's core portfolio consists of three main subproducts: Pyroil (liquid fuel), Carbon Black (solid fuel/pigment), and Steel Wire (recycled metal). These products are derived from a thermal pyrolysis process at their 30-ton-per-day plant in Penco, Bío Bío, Chile. The company also provides waste treatment services and NFU collection services. Founded in 2017, Circular Energy positions itself as a leader in alternative and innovative pyrolysis recycling within Chile's emerging circular economy framework under the REP law.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Pyroil Liquid subproduct obtained from the pyrolysis process of End-of-Life Tires (NFU), sold as industrial fuel for boilers or furnaces. Has good viscosity characteristics and a calorific value of 10,500 kcal/kg, comparable to diesel alternatives. Intended for industrial buyers seeking alternative fuels.
• Carbon Black Solid subproduct in dark powder format obtained from the pyrolysis of NFU, used primarily as industrial solid fuel (calorific value 6,900 kcal/kg) and alternatively as pigment or as raw material for the manufacture of new tires. Intended for industrial fuel buyers and downstream tire/raw-material manufacturers.
• Acero (Steel Wire) Metallic component extracted from the internal structure of end-of-life tires that provides reinforcement and resistance. After recovery and processing, the steel wire can be reused in industrial applications such as manufacturing new steel products, supporting circular-economy outcomes. Sold to industrial buyers of recycled metal.
• Treatment of Industrial Waste (Valorization of NFU) Service offering for companies that need compliant valorization of End-of-Life Tires. Includes receipt, processing, and transformation of NFU into Pyroil, Carbon Black, and Steel Wire at Circular Energy's Penco facility. Aimed at industrial clients, particularly tire importers that must comply with Chile's Law REP.
• Reception of End-of-Life Tires (NFU) Collection and reception service for End-of-Life Tires, providing a sustainable final disposal route for industrial clients and other tire generators. Delivered at the Penco, Biobío pyrolysis facility.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CorfocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Corfo (Corporación de Fomento de la Producción) supported the Biobío Zero international encounter where Circular Energy participated. Corfo is Chile's economic development agency that promotes innovation and sustainable business practices.
• GullivercoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 December 2024Gulliver implemented the Biobío Zero initiative, an international encounter focused on decarbonization and climate change adaptation aligned with UN Agenda 2030 objectives.
• ProtermminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 May 2024Circular Energy conducted its carbon footprint study in collaboration with Proterm, demonstrating commitment to environmental measurement and improvement.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS): Belgium-based developer of thermal desorption technology for end-of-life tires, producing recovered carbon black, oil, and gas. Comparable technology category and product slate.
• Black Bear Carbon: Dutch tire pyrolysis company producing recovered carbon black (rCB) for tire and rubber applications. Comparable pyrolysis-to-products model with focus on circular carbon black.
• Genan: One of Europe's largest end-of-life tire recyclers, operating mechanical and cryogenic processing of NFU into rubber granules and powders. Comparable as a major NFU processor serving industrial buyers.
• Pyrum Innovations: German-listed company operating industrial-scale tire pyrolysis plants producing pyrolysis oil, recovered carbon black, and steel. Closest functional analog to Circular Energy's pyrolysis platform.
• Enviro Systems: Swedish company with patented tire pyrolysis technology producing oil, carbon black, and steel; commercializing plants across Europe. Directly comparable technology and product mix.

Broad incumbents

• Lehigh Technologies: US-based manufacturer of micronized rubber powder (MRP) from end-of-life tires. Comparable as a downstream buyer of processed tire material and broader NFU industry player.
• Ragn-Sells: Large Nordic environmental services company with tire recycling and resource recovery operations. Comparable as a broad waste-to-value incumbent with NFU processing capability.
• Michelin (recycling programs): Global tire OEM with active end-of-life tire recycling and circular materials initiatives. Comparable as a downstream offtake customer for recovered carbon black and as a broad incumbent shaping industry direction.

Emerging players

• Bolder Industries: US-based tire pyrolysis company producing carbon black, oil, and steel; comparable emerging player with similar product outputs but focused on the North American market.

Regional players

• RENEASA: Chilean environmental services and tire recycling operator with collection and valorization activities in Chile. Comparable geographic peer competing for the same Chilean NFU stream.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/energia-circular

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Circular Energy