HITEC Luxembourg is strengthening its role in the recovered carbon black sector by promoting precision testing technologies designed to improve material consistency and industrial reliability. The Luxembourg-based engineering company, active in testing, space, traffic and mission-critical technologies, is increasingly applying its measurement expertise to recovered carbon black produced from end-of-life tire pyrolysis. At Recovered Carbon Black Asia 2026 in Bangkok, HITEC demonstrated its Individual Pellet Hardness Tester and emphasized that batch-to-batch consistency remains one of the most important requirements for wider rCB adoption in tire and rubber applications. The company’s involvement reflects a broader shift in the recovered carbon black market, where attention is moving from simply producing rCB toward controlling physical properties, improving pellet quality and delivering repeatable material performance at commercial scale.

Testing becomes increasingly important for rCB commercialization

Recovered carbon black can vary significantly depending on tire feedstock, pyrolysis conditions, milling, pelletizing and post-processing. These variations can influence handling, dispersion and final rubber performance, making quality control essential for producers seeking approval from tire and rubber manufacturers.

HITEC positions its testing equipment as a way to help producers monitor these parameters more systematically and improve consistency between production batches.

IPHT measures individual pellet hardness

One of HITEC’s key instruments for the recovered carbon black sector is the Individual Pellet Hardness Tester. The device measures the mechanical strength of individual carbon black pellets and provides quantitative data on pellet quality.

Pellet hardness is important because carbon black must withstand transportation, storage and pneumatic handling without excessive breakdown while still dispersing effectively during rubber mixing.

Recovered carbon black producers face tighter quality requirements

As rCB moves into more demanding applications, customers increasingly expect suppliers to demonstrate reproducible material properties rather than provide only basic chemical analysis. Physical characteristics such as pellet strength, particle distribution and residue can influence both processing efficiency and finished product performance.

This creates greater demand for laboratory and production testing systems capable of supporting standardized quality assurance.

HITEC also offers sieve residue testing

HITEC has previously showcased its A2000 sieve residue tester alongside the IPHT for recovered carbon black applications. The equipment is designed to measure larger contaminants or residues that can remain in carbon black after processing.

Controlling these impurities is particularly important for rCB because the material originates from complex end-of-life tire feedstock containing rubber, steel, textile reinforcement, silica and other components.

Company expands presence in Asian rCB market

HITEC participated in Recovered Carbon Black Asia 2026 in Bangkok for the first time, after previously attending the European edition of the industry event. The company reported discussions with more than 200 professionals across the recovered carbon black value chain.

The event also allowed HITEC to strengthen relationships with regional partners, including CG Engineering in Thailand and Highest Instruments in China.

Asian market shows growing focus on industrial-scale quality

HITEC said discussions during the Bangkok conference confirmed that the Asian recovered carbon black market is developing rapidly, with increasing attention being paid to technical performance, sustainability and industrial scale-up.

As new tire pyrolysis plants are commissioned and existing producers expand, the ability to maintain consistent rCB quality across larger production volumes is becoming an increasingly important commercial requirement.

Testing supports qualification by tire manufacturers

For tire manufacturers, introducing recovered carbon black into compounds requires extensive qualification because recycled material must meet demanding requirements for safety, durability and manufacturing consistency.

Reliable testing can help rCB suppliers characterize their material more precisely and identify production deviations before product reaches customers. This can support faster qualification and improve confidence in recovered carbon black as a secondary raw material.

HITEC brings wider measurement expertise to rubber industry

Founded in 1986 and headquartered in Mamer, Luxembourg, HITEC develops precision measurement and material testing systems alongside technologies for space, traffic infrastructure and secure communications.

The company holds certifications including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001 and AQAP 2110 and operates internationally through specialist partners and customers.

Consistent rCB quality remains central to tire-to-tire recycling

Recovered carbon black is one of the principal products generated from the solid fraction of end-of-life tire pyrolysis. Following appropriate upgrading and quality control, it can replace part of the virgin carbon black used in rubber compounds and other industrial applications.

As the tire recycling industry moves toward higher-value tire-to-tire applications, measurement technologies such as pellet hardness and residue testing are becoming increasingly important. HITEC’s growing involvement in the sector reflects the broader transition of recovered carbon black from an emerging recycling product toward a more standardized industrial raw material.

Original information from HITEC Luxembourg.