According to Emissions Reduction Alberta (ERA), 20 million tons of rubber are used annually in the tire manufacturing sector to produce new tires. Over one million tonnes of industrial tires that are approaching the end of their useful lives are then buried on mine sites as a result of intensive use, creating environmental and operational challenges for mine operators.

Circular Rubber Technologies (CRT) – a Vancouver-based company that converts the rubber from industrial end of life tires into a rubber reclaim that substitutes virgin rubber material – has developed a chemical-free devulcanization process that transforms one of the mining industry's largest waste streams into a new valuable material. Their Rubber Reclaim product will be used to create new tires, significantly reducing the amount of virgin rubber demand and rubber ending up in landfills.

Reclaiming mining tires could lead to $45 billion market opportunity | Video by Emissions Reduction Alberta.

According to CRT, its process does not require the use of additives, chemicals, or high-pressure gases, it is sustainable, cost effective, and scalable and an exemplary example of the circular economy in action. CRT works with both multi-national mining companies to provide the feedstock for its product and with global tire manufacturers who are looking to lower their carbon footprint.

ERA committed $3.2 million to the $16 million project.

Press release by ERA.