Research and development center Tecnalia has announced the expansion of its advanced thermochemical processing capabilities, integrating pyrolysisPyrolysis is a thermochemical process that converts waste biomass into bio-char, bio-oil, and pyro-gas. It offers significant advantages in waste valorization, turning low-value materials into economically valuable resources. Its versatility allows for tailored products based on operational conditions, presenting itself as a cost-effective and efficient More, gasificationGasification is a high-temperature, thermochemical process that converts carbon-based materials into a gaseous fuel called syngas and solid by-products. It takes place in an oxygen-deficient environment at temperatures typically above 750°C. Unlike combustion, which fully burns material to produce heat and carbon dioxide (CO2​), gasification More, and plasma technologies to transform complex industrial and municipal waste streams into high-value resources. Located in Spain, the center provides a comprehensive infrastructure that spans from laboratory-scale experiments to operational pilot plants capable of processing diverse materials, including biomassBiomass is a complex biological organic or non-organic solid product derived from living or recently living organism and available naturally. Various types of wastes such as animal manure, waste paper, sludge and many industrial wastes are also treated as biomass because like natural biomass these More, mixed plastics, electronic waste, and textiles. The initiative is designed to address pressing industrial circularity and decarbonization demands by generating renewable fuels, recovering critical raw materials, and producing high-grade biocharBiochar is a carbon-rich material created from biomass decomposition in low-oxygen conditions. It has important applications in environmental remediation, soil improvement, agriculture, carbon sequestration, energy storage, and sustainable materials, promoting efficiency and reducing waste in various contexts while addressing climate change challenges. More from bio-waste.

The primary challenge driving this development involves the technical limitations of conventional mechanical recycling and basic energy recovery systems when confronting increasingly complex waste streams. Modern industrial and municipal waste often contains heterogeneous compositions that cannot be reliably processed through standard recycling methods. This material complexity creates significant environmental and economic pressures for manufacturers and waste managers who must comply with stricter regulatory standards while seeking to minimize reliance on virgin fossil resources and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To overcome these technical barriers, Tecnalia has deployed a flexible suite of thermal conversion processes paired with specialized pilot infrastructure operating across wide temperature ranges. The center utilizes pyrolysis to recover metals from waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and produce liquid fuels and biochar. Additionally, the integration of proprietary PLASIND plasma technology addresses critical operational hurdles in gasification by eliminating tars from synthesis gas and converting carbon dioxide and water vapor into useful carbon monoxide and hydrogen mixtures, thereby improving syngasSyngas, or synthesis gas, is a fuel gas mixture consisting primarily of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. It is produced during gasification and can be used as a fuel source or as a feedstock for producing other chemicals and fuels.   More quality for industrial applications.

The practical application of these enhanced capabilities has yielded demonstrable process outcomes across multiple pilot-scale projects. These include the production of high-quality biochar from organic bio-waste to support regional sustainability goals, the generation of renewable fuels designated for heavy transport, and the chemical recycling of complex plastics into secondary raw materials. By validating these scalable thermochemical pathways, Tecnalia provides industrial operators with the technical foundation required to integrate circular waste recovery directly into commercial production networks.