News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

LSM.LV – a public broadcasting of Latvia – reported on March 21, 2021 that scientists at Riga Technical University (RTU) have been looking for a solution to pave Latvia's roads with rubberized asphalt made from recycled end-of-life tires. This summer, an experimental plot of a local highway could be paved with asphalt concrete containing rubber granules from recycled tires. Scientists from RTU have developed and tested several new recipes for bitumen, the glue that contains rubber powder which is further used in asphalt and concrete. Road builders typically add specific polymers to bitumen so that road surface is more resilient to cracks and pits.

India’s tax law portal TaxScan.in reported this March that The Maharashtra Authority for Advance Rulings (AAR) declined from determining classification (HSN) of Tire Pyrolysis Oil and the tax rate applicable to it, by reason of non-submission of full details pertaining to composition of the impugned product by the applicant. The order was passed in an application filed by Royal Carbon Black Pvt.Ltd., an entity engaged in the recycling of used tires. The application was preferred under Sec.97 of the Central Goods and Services Act and Maharashtra Goods and Services Act, for adjudicating upon the classification (HSN) of Tire Pyrolysis oil and the tax rate applicable to it.

Dr. Valerie Shulman – the Secretary General at the European Tyre Recycling Association (ETRA) given a Lifetime Achievement Award in the inaugural Recircle Awards. Tyre & Rubber Recycling magazine involved in organization of Recircle Awards writes that Dr. Shulman has been involved in tire recycling for somewhat longer than she has held her role at ETRA, and in her lifetime in the sector Dr. Shulman has campaigned to raise awareness of tire recycling with governments across Europe, and of course with the European Commission. Dr Shulman, literally, wrote the book on tire recycling, coining many of the phrases and terminology in common use today. A larger-than-life character, Dr. Shulman is passionate about recycling like no other individual. This passion can be seen in her involvement in the ETRA conferences and seminars each year. An impressive lady who knows where she wants to see the industry develop.

On March 17, 2021, the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA)’s representatives met the EU’s Commissioner Thierry Breton and his team to present the vision and commitments of future tyre performance targets to deliver on Green Deal objectives. The tyre industry leaders had the opportunity to underline the role of the tire sector in creating a future with environmentally friendly, safe, efficient and accessible mobility for all. This meeting represents an important step toward the vision the tyre industry intends to support in the direction of delivering on the Green Deal targets.

Recently, a renowned expert in carbon black and recovered carbon black (rCB) Martin von Wolfersdorff (Wolfersdorff Consulting, Berlin) held a webinar “Carbon Black Asia” joined by two globally leading carbon black consultants and experts: Shane Perl (Alpen Group) and Paul Ita (Notch Consulting). The webinar recording is available on demand. For more information on how to purchase a copy please visit the website of Wolfersdorff Consulting.

In the recent press release by Tyre Stewardship Australia, the organization tells its success story as it has been recognised as best practice product stewardship in Australia TSA writes that consumers can now demand their used tyres go to genuine recyclers as the Australian Government lends support to Tyre Stewardship Australia’s National Tyre Product Stewardship Scheme (TPSS). On Monday, the tyre scheme was recognised as best practice product stewardship by the federal Government as part of the Product Stewardship Centre of Excellence. The accreditation was further bolstered by significant funding to increase resource recovery associated with the Off-the-road sector and expanding the TPSS to include conveyor belts.

In total, over 9,000 votes were cast across the 18 awards categories that were open to the public vote, with significant engagement in the voting process being received from all corners of the globe. David Wilson, Managing Director of Valebridge Media Services, commented; “We were delighted to see such a high level of international participation in this first edition of the Recircle Awards, and we’d like to thank the readers of Retreading Business and Tyre & Rubber Recycling for helping to make this project into a such a globally inclusive event.”

Leicestershire County Council reported on March 10, 2021 that recycled and carbon-friendly products had been used where possible in bypass improvements in Blaby and Market Harborough in the county. The authority reports that is is now on the road with its bid to become cleaner and greener – by using recycled and carbon friendly products in its highway improvements. Around 5000 recycled tires have been used in a special asphalt mix used on the A426 Blaby bypass – and the white lines on one side of the carriageway have been marked out using a cold plastic product which is said to last three times longer than the traditional products used.

ASTM International – a standardization body introducing key definitions of products and materials with over 12,800 ASTM standards already in work worldwide – recently published their first standard relating to recovered Carbon Black (rCB). The ASTM Committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black (rCB) was founded in 2017 to support the emerging rCB industry regarding the quality and safety of their products. Several sub-committees are responsible for developing standards for terminology, guidance, practices, and testing methods. Recovered Carbon Black, typically derived from the thermal degradation of end-of-life tires, is a relatively new, sustainable raw material product for use in rubber, plastics, and pigment applications.