Boulder, Colorado-based Bolder Industries has been awarded a 32 million euros ($34.8 million) grant by the European Union Innovation Fund, marking a significant step in its European expansion and commitment to sustainable materials. This funding will help support the construction of a new facility in Antwerp, Belgium, designed to revolutionize the carbon black production process by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85%.
European Expansion: A Key Milestone
The Antwerp facility will be modeled after Bolder Industries’ existing plant in Missouri, USA. Once operational, it will be capable of processing more than 4 million end-of-life tires annually. The plant will produce BolderBlack, a carbon black substitute, and BolderOil, a product with sustainable attributes used in renewable fuels, process oils, and solvents. BolderBlack is already used in over 3,000 commercial products, including tires, automotive plastic parts, and wetsuits.
Major Investment in Green Manufacturing
Bolder Industries has hailed the grant as not just financial support but as an investment in sustainable manufacturing. Tony Wibbeler, founder and CEO, emphasized that the project would help set the foundation for a greener, more circular future. The company has also received an additional $2.18 million from the Flanders regional government in Belgium.
The facility will also utilize wind power and heat energy generated on-site to meet its energy needs, underscoring the company’s commitment to sustainability.
Construction Timeline and Future Growth
Originally scheduled for completion this year, the Antwerp facility’s construction will now begin in 2026, with full operational capacity expected by 2027. This plant will be Bolder Industries’ first large-scale facility in Europe, marking a key part of the company’s broader European growth strategy.
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