Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • LogIn
  • News
  • Technology Focus
    • Features
    • Technical Papers
    • Analysis: Rubber mixing plants of the future
      Analysis: US probes dumping by ESBR suppliers
      Opinion: Tire labels stuck in a rut
      Analysis: NR pricing takes one step forward, two steps back
    • White paper: Role of tire innerliners in improving 'in-use rolling resistance'
      White paper: Why tire air retention matters now more than ever
      Nippon Soda: Use of 1,2-polybutadiene in CSM rubber applications
      Elastomers for Sustainability Top 10
  • Events
    • ERJ Events
    • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Journey to Automation Awards 2020
      Sustainability: Top 10 E4S projects table
  • Maps & Reports
  • People
  • Directory
  • Digital Edition
  • Brainiac
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
October 12, 2017 12:00 AM

Pyrolysis is 'the way forward’ for tire recycling

Patrick Raleigh
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    London – Tire pyrolysis is the best recycling process despite its complicated nature and high investment requirements, according to industry analyst and expert for alternative filler materials Martin von Wolfersdorff.

    While maintaining that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution for everybody, von Wolfersdorff said the technology provides the opportunity of material valorisation along with running a net positive energy process from tire feedstock.

    “And on top of that, pyrolysis can produce more energy which you can feed into the grid if energy prices are attractive,” he added.

    Pyrolysis is one of the three plausible processes for recycling, with the other two being micro-granulation and devulcanisaion.

    While in terms of energy consumption, pyrolysis stands out from the other two, material valorisation in the process stands at roughly 44%, lower than 93% in devulcanisation and nearly 100% in micro-granulation.

    But Wolfersdorff argues that pyrolysis technology is a good compromise between energy production and material recycling and it offers the opportunity to develop value-adding products which already have found some inroads into the tire industry.

    According to the expert, the complex process has added value in terms of usage in functional and low PAH carbon products for rubber, plastics, adsorbents and battery applications.

    Japanese tire maker Bridgestone, said Wolfersdorff, has already invested in tire pyrolysis and “many other top tire companies are exploring the space.”

    Globally, there are more than 160 advanced tire pyrolysis companies at various stages of technical evolution. About 73 of these are located in Europe and about 30 companies in North America.

    “What distinguishes the top 40 companies from the rest is their product, applications and market focus, modern technology and smart sourcing of the tire feedstock,” said Wolfersdorff.

    The top 20 tire pyrolysis companies, he added, already have a capacity of about 170 ktpa recovered carbon black, a volume capacity comparable with one world-class virgin carbon black plant.

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    Trelleborg acquires Dutch composite hose supplier
    Trelleborg acquires Dutch composite hose supplier
    Conti hose & line unit zeros in on low-emission mobility
    Conti hose & line unit zeros in on low-emission mobility
    Cabot expands sustainable rubber operations in Malaysia
    Cabot expands sustainable rubber operations in Malaysia
    Free Newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Get the latest news impacting the European rubber industry, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Logo
    Contact Us

    @ 2019 European Rubber Journal. 
    European Rubber Journal is published bi-monthly by NUERJ Ltd.

    Registered Office: Castle House, 89 High Street,
    Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2DF, United Kingdom. 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

    Registered No. 13104613 England

    Email: [email protected]

    Website www.european-rubber-journal.com

    Customer service 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 1996-2021. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
    • Technology Focus
      • Features
      • Technical Papers
    • Events
      • ERJ Events
      • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
      • Industry Events
    • Maps & Reports
    • People
    • Directory
    • Digital Edition
    • Brainiac