Willich, October 22, 2024. The third scientific AZuR Colloquium took place on October 10, 2024, on the Jülich campus of the Aachen University of Applied Sciences (FH Aachen) with high participation. Forty scientists from various universities, institutes, and disciplines came together to discuss current research findings and projects related to the sustainable reuse and recycling of end-of-life tires. The agenda included workshops, discussion panels, and keynote presentations on topics such as the pyrolytic utilization of end-of-life tire granulate, the use of old rubber granulates in flood protection, and the future of recovered carbon black (rCB) as a sustainable filler.

The event, organized by FH Aachen, kicked off with presentations of current research projects, which laid the foundation for lively discussions and in-depth workshops. Three projects, in particular, focused on the pyrolytic processing of end-of-life tire granulate (Prof. Dr. Christian Malek, TH Köln Institute), the modification of rCB through plasma activation (M. Sc. Dennis Kleinschmidt, University of Paderborn), and the potential of rCB from tires as a sustainable filler (M. Sc. Jeremy Kühne, FH Aachen).

Presentation of Current Research Projects on a Broad Range of Topics

There was also great interest in research projects concerning HTC Lignin as a sustainable reinforcing filler for elastomers (M. Sc. Andreas Sternad, FH Aachen), flood protection and dike construction elements made from old rubber granulates (Helmut Howe, NOAH), and a standardized criteria catalog for the retreadability of passenger car end-of-life tires (Sebastian Schmitt, TH Köln Institute). The much-discussed issue of tire abrasion was addressed by the project presented by M. Sc. A. Rocha Vogel (Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research) on tire road wear particles in water bodies – What happens on the surface of the particles?

Workshops on Pyrolysis, Tire Abrasion & More for Deeper Discussions

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The agenda of the third scientific AZuR Colloquium included workshops, discussion panels, and keynote presentations on topics such as the pyrolytic utilization of end-of-life tire granulate, the use of old rubber granulates in flood protection, and the future of recovered carbon black (rCB) as a sustainable filler. | Photo by AZuR.

Another highlight of the 2024 Colloquium was a guided tour of the Jülich campus of FH Aachen, along the value chain of rubber – including the study of microorganisms in biotechnology. To delve deeper into relevant topics such as pyrolysis, devulcanization, tire abrasion, and sustainable additives, small-group workshops were held, and the results were later presented and discussed in a forum. AZuR network coordinator Christina Guth was impressed by the range of projects presented on current topics in the tire recycling economy, as well as the active participation of AZuR's academic partners, including FH Aachen, TH Köln, TH Köln Institute, Biochemical Institute for Environmental Carcinogens, University of Paderborn, the NOAH Strategy Initiative, Fraunhofer Institute LBF, Helmholtz Center for Environmental Research, and RWTH Aachen. "Today's colloquium once again provided valuable impulses for the further optimization of the sustainable reuse and recycling of end-of-life tires." A summary of the 2024 Colloquium presentations will be made available to all AZuR partners and interested press representatives.

Positive Response: AZuR Colloquium 2025 to be Held in Paderborn

The AZuR Colloquium 2024 not only served as a platform for constructive scientific exchange on current research projects but also for personal networking. Participants had the opportunity to establish new contacts and explore forward-looking collaborations. Moreover, ideas for potential new research and funding projects were developed, which could be pursued jointly.

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Praise was given for the "excellent organization" and the "confidential and pleasant working atmosphere." Christina Guth thanked the FH Aachen team for their "support in organizing the Colloquium, providing the Gerling Pavilion, and leading the tour of the Jülich campus." She also extended her thanks to the Institute for Plastics Technology and Processing at the University of Paderborn, which has agreed to host the AZuR Colloquium 2025.

About the Alliance for the Future of Tires (AZuR)

Since 2020, AZuR has been committed to promoting a sustainable circular economy for tires across Europe. The aim is to reuse or recycle 100% of used tires to minimize waste, reduce CO2 emissions, conserve natural resources, and protect both people and the environment.

More than 80 AZuR partners from industry, trade, and academia cover all sectors of the sustainable tire circular economy – from sustainable new tire production and certified collection of used tires to the repair and retreading of passenger car and commercial vehicle tires, and the material and chemical recycling of raw materials found in end-of-life tires.

Through interdisciplinary teamwork, new approaches and solutions are developed for an ecologically and economically viable tire lifecycle. Universities within the AZuR network play a crucial role by providing scientifically sound studies and research, offering valuable insights to close the material loop.

At TyreXpo Asia 2023 in Singapore, AZuR received the Recircle Award in the Circular Economy category. In November 2023, AZuR was awarded the "European Transport Sustainability Award 2024" for its study on the positive environmental impact of tire retreading.

Learn more about AZuR on the official website.