News: Tire Recycling & Pyrolysis

A new website that seeks to raise awareness to tire-originated microplastics, road wear particles (TRWP) and their detriment to ecology and human wellbeing has been launched by The European Tyre and Rubber Manufacturers’ Association (ETRMA). The website also highlights a study by the ETRMA-launched TRWP platform that presented its conclusions earlier this June. The highlight of the study is the finding that 2-5% of particles generated on roads can reach estuaries.

There is a potential risk that application of <5mm crumb rubber infill in artificial sports surfaces like synthetic turf will be banned due to an ongoing probe by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). This claim was reinforced by CEO at the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers Association (ETRMA). The potential ban may negatively impact tire recycling’s commercial segment given that significant amount of crumb rubber recovered from old tires is used to produce sport surfaces and rubber infill.

The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) released Natural Rubber Trends & Statistics for April 2019. The total volume of natural rubber (NR) produced in the world amounted to 3.954 million tonnes during the first four months of 2019. It fell 5.1% from 4.165 million tonnes recorded during the same period in previous year. The world consumption of NR have improved during this reference period. It grew 1.0%, year-to-year, from 4.544 million tonnes to 4.591 million tonnes.

The 17th China International Tire Expo is inviting guests to participate in the events set 19-21 August at Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Centre. According to the organizers, more than 360 exhibitors will show their products at the venue. It is anticipated that over 120,000 attendees will visit the expo and will get a chance to find out more about merchandise and services. A portion of topics at the form will be devoted to tire recycling and tire pyrolysis.

Two innovative tire projects were presented at the Tyre Recovery Association’s (TRA) annual Recycling Forum Day in Warwick, the UK, on the 18th of June which was attended by over 90 delegates, including representatives of the Environment Agency and Scottish Environment Agency. The event addressed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and the current tire recovery program.

A global producer of synthetic rubber Trinseo believes that styrene which can be processed out of plastic waste can be reused in tire manufacturing; however, it is still unclear how the industry could switch from a linear production reaching a more sustainable approach like circular economy. This concern was voiced by Trinseo’s tech and innovation director Sandra Hofmann during Future Tire Conference 2019 in Germany’s Cologne earlier this month. She explained that currently there is an access to a stream of recycled styrene that could be used in packaging, or, alternatively, be upcycled in tires and SSBR (solution-styrene butadiene rubber).

Ewan Scott, the chief editor of Tyre and Rubber Recycling magazine, journalist and expert in global tire recycling sector, informs about that Tire Recycling Forum will be held again as a part of The Tire Cologne in 2020. According to Ewan’s article in the Tyre and Rubber Recycling Magazine, the format of the event will stay similar. Tyre and Rubber Recycling has already spoken to a number of potential speakers who might wish to address the Forum across a range of tire recycling topics.

Italy-based EcoTyre shared its first results of devlucanization initiative saying that the process gave outstanding results when used on retreaded Hankook tires. Some materials that rely on devulcanized rubber were used in tire retreads; according to EcoTyre, this method brought positive outcomes of the testing and the company now seeks to apply more devulcanized rubber in retreads as well as in new tires.

Every year, Australia is being threatened by 20 million tires that are dumped at landfills, thus, they pose danger to human safety and environment due to potential fire outbreak and contamination. To tackle the challenge, The New South Wales Environmental Authority (EPA) has endorsed the construction of the first green tire recycling plant; it will operate in Warren, northwest of Dubbo. Scrap tires there will be recycled into valuable products such as oil, steel and carbon.