Messer will present gas solutions supporting the circular economy of tires at The Tire Cologne 2024, June 4-6, 2024, in Cologne, Germany.

Messer, the world’s largest privately held industrial gas specialist, will take part in The Tire Cologne together with AZuR (Allianz Zukunft Reifen), a network committed to fostering a circular economy for tires. Messer’s booth will be centrally located in hall 7.1, booth A040 – B049, in the exhibition area dedicated to circular economy, where the latest technology solutions for the sustainable production and recycling of tires will be presented.

According to the European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA), more than 3 million metric tons of end-of-life tires accumulate every year solely in Europe. Recycling and reusing these tires is essential to minimize waste, preserve natural resources, and comply with environmental regulations. Messer’s gas solutions support this and enable further development of a circular economy for tires.

Nitrogen: a key enabler for tire recycling

Nitrogen and the related technology solutions from Messer play a key role in both the material and chemical recycling of tires.

Cold grinding with liquid nitrogen is a proven application for material recycling, used to separate the different materials of tires and produce very fine rubber powders. In the process, liquid nitrogen at a temperature of -196°C cools and embrittles tire rubber granules in paddle screw coolers. Cold grinding enables a high throughput, a stable process as well as a higher quality of the ground rubber compared to conventional grinding methods.

Another method for recycling end-of-life tires is pyrolysis. Gaseous nitrogen is injected to replace ambient air before feeding shredded tires into the reactor, ensuring that the oxygen content remains below two percent. This inert atmosphere protects tires and prevents combustion. During the pyrolysis process, end-of-life tires are heated to a high temperature to thermally decompose them and recover products such as carbon black and pyrolysis oil, which can either be used to manufacture new tires or reused for other purposes.

Extensive know-how for the tire industry

At Messer’s state-of-the-art technical center for cold grinding and recycling in Krefeld, Germany, tests can be conducted to precisely define the grinding parameters, estimate manufacturing costs, and compare the results of different grinding processes. Additionally, Messer offers a reliable supply of nitrogen tailored to the needs of its customers.

Press release by Messer.