#USA #New York #Tiger Infrastructure #Sustainable Materials #Bolder Industries

Tiger Infrastructure Partners Invests in Bolder Industries

Tiger Infrastructure Partners, a leading private equity firm, recently announced a major growth investment in Bolder Industries, an innovative circular-economy platform transforming end-of-life tires into sustainable materials. This strategic move underscores the increasing demand for sustainable solutions in the rubber, petroleum, and plastics sectors while aligning with global environmental goals.

Bolder Industries, with its headquarters in Missouri, has pioneered a proprietary process to convert waste tires into recovered carbon black—a crucial component for manufacturing new tires and other rubber products. Their flagship product, BolderBlack®, is already utilized by some of the largest companies across various industries, finding applications in tires, wetsuits, roofing materials, automotive parts, and more. This not only demonstrates the product's versatility but also highlights the growing market for sustainable materials.

Furthermore, Bolder Industries is actively developing its production capabilities. The company is currently constructing a new facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, and plans to establish another site in the NextGen District of the Port of Antwerp, Belgium. These sites are strategically located to enhance the recycling of over 4 million end-of-life tires per year, significantly contributing to waste reduction and resource recovery efforts.

Emil W. Henry, Jr., CEO of Tiger Infrastructure, expressed his enthusiasm for the investment, indicating Bolder's strong position to meet the rising global demand for sustainable products. He emphasized that Bolder Industries is at the forefront of this emerging sector, offering high-quality outputs that fulfill the needs of discerning global brands.

Tony Wibbeler, the founder and CEO of Bolder Industries, articulated his excitement about the partnership. He emphasized Tiger Infrastructure's expertise in scaling infrastructure projects and their transatlantic network, which is vital for expanding operations and meeting global market needs.

According to the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, over 1 billion end-of-life tires are generated annually, with a significant percentage ending up in landfills—an environmental concern. The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association reported a 19% increase in landfilled tires from 2021 to 2023, underscoring the pressing requirement for innovative recycling solutions like those offered by Bolder Industries.

Bolder's technology is backed by several patents, ensuring the uniqueness and effectiveness of their processes. Each of their new facilities is designed not only to recycle tires but also to produce byproducts like pyrolysis oil (BolderOil®), which has further uses in renewable fuels and petrochemical applications.

In the context of evolving public policy and growing sustainability expectations from major corporations, Bolder is poised to meet the rising demand for environmentally friendly products. They estimate that their processes could result in an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional products, making a substantial contribution to environmental sustainability.

As this partnership develops, the implications for the circular economy, recycling industries, and sustainable material production will be significant. It marks a crucial step towards integrating sustainable practices into mainstream markets and encouraging other companies to follow suit towards greener operations.

The legal aspect of the investment was handled by Latham & Watkins for Tiger Infrastructure, while Greenhill, an affiliate of Mizuho, acted as the financial advisor for Bolder Industries, ensuring a well-structured partnership ready to face future challenges and opportunities in the quest for sustainability.