News: Weibold Academy

The tire waste recycling industry is transforming after 25 years of gradual progress. Traditionally, recycling focuses on mechanical processes to separate and recover rubber, steel, and fiber from End-of-Life Tires (ELTs), with applications developed for products like sports turf, civil engineering, mats, and even fuel for cement kilns.

In a world grappling with environmental challenges, finding ways to recycle and repurpose materials has never been more critical. At the heart of this movement is recovered carbon black (rCB), an innovative material derived from end-of-life tires (ELTs) through pyrolysis. This promising material offers a pathway to sustainable, high-value applications that can help reshape industries ranging from energy to environmental remediation.

End-of-life tires (ELTs) represent a significant environmental challenge globally, with over 1 billion tires produced and discarded each year. Their durability and complex composition, which includes a mix of rubber compounds, metals, textiles, and fillers, make them particularly difficult to recycle. Traditional disposal methods like incineration and landfilling not only fail to recover valuable materials but also contribute to environmental degradation. As the world seeks more sustainable recycling practices, pyrolysis—a process of thermal decomposition in an inert atmosphere—has emerged as a promising alternative. This method allows for the recovery of valuable products such as recovered carbon black (rCB) and tire pyrolysis oil (TPO), including limonene, a solvent derived from the degradation of rubber components. However, achieving consistent, high-quality outputs through pyrolysis requires careful control of both feedstock characteristics and process parameters.

End-of-life tires represent a significant global waste problem. Their robust structural and chemical properties pose challenges for traditional recycling methods. With 1.5 billion tires manufactured annually, the environmental impact is substantial, with each tire contributing approximately 300 kg of CO2 emissions. The increase in tire production, driven by the rise of electric vehicles, underscores the urgency for effective recycling strategies. Waste tires are not only difficult to dispose of but also pose environmental hazards when dumped or incinerated. Traditional disposal methods like open dumping and incineration lead to issues such as fire hazards, mosquito breeding grounds, and the release of harmful pollutants.

In recent years, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has evolved from a peripheral concern to a central pillar in the strategic planning of businesses worldwide. CSR encompasses a company's initiatives to assess and take responsibility for its effects on environmental and social well-being. This shift reflects broader societal changes, including increased public awareness of environmental issues, more stringent governmental regulations, and a growing expectation for businesses to contribute positively to society.

ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, is a globally recognized leader in developing and delivering voluntary consensus standards. Founded in 1898, ASTM provides a forum for producers, users, consumers, and other stakeholders to create and update standards transparently. The organization supports industries worldwide by offering over 12,000 standards that enhance safety, quality, and performance across various sectors. ASTM standards are utilized in research, product development, and quality assurance to improve public health and safety.

Globally, over one billion tires become unusable yearly, presenting a valuable resource for the circular economy. Efforts to manage end-of-life tires (ELTs) are underway, with various stakeholders collaborating to improve recycling rates and reduce tire dumping. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) Tire Industry Project (TIP) has facilitated workshops to foster cooperation among stakeholders in regions such as the US, Europe, and China. While progress has been made in ELT recycling rates, challenges remain, including policy inconsistencies and inadequate market reporting.

On July 14, 2021, the European Commission unveiled the 'fit for 55' package to align with the EU's target of a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, part of the broader European Green Deal aiming for climate neutrality by 2050. The package revises the Renewable Energy Directive (RED II), increasing the target for renewable energy consumption from 32% to 40%, later raised to 45% under the REPowerEU plan. Additional targets are proposed for sectors like transport, buildings, industry, and heating, advancing the EU's transition to a greener future.

The EU Parliament and Council reached a provisional agreement in November 2023 to revise EU waste shipment procedures with the goal of improving environmental and human health protection, while also supporting climate neutrality, circular economy, and zero pollution objectives. The revised Waste Shipment Regulation (WSR) underwent a final vote in a Strasbourg plenary session on February 27, 2024, with 587 in favour, eight against, and 33 abstentions. Find more information about the development of this regulation here.