Innovative Approach to Developing Sustainable Tires

Innovative Approach to Developing Sustainable Tires

Manufacturing Technology Insights | Thursday, November 02, 2023

Summary: Tire manufacturers partnering with recycling specialists to recycle end-of-life tires through advanced processes like pyrolysis will help in the sustainable production of tyres.

FREMONT, CA: Tires today represent a sophisticated amalgamation of diverse materials meticulously designed to deliver optimal performance and safety. They are crafted from a multitude of synthetic and natural materials and have achieved unprecedented durability and utility. Furthermore, advancements in this field are expected to persist.

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One pivotal ingredient in contemporary tire production is carbon black, a substance whose production process is known for its environmental impact. Carbon black is derived from the incomplete combustion of hydrocarbons, which can be sourced from materials such as oil or natural gas. It is incorporated into the rubber compound used in tire manufacturing to enhance various characteristics, including tread longevity, traction, and overall robustness. Additionally, it imparts the characteristic black appearance that tires typically possess.

However, the production of this material has adverse environmental effects, making it imperative to explore alternatives or strategies for integrating carbon black into a circular economy to alleviate the environmental impact of tire manufacturing.

The utilisation of recovered carbon black (rCB) has been incorporated into producing their newly manufactured super elastic solid tires. This initiative reduces the dependence on fossil-based raw materials and results in the mitigation of CO2 emissions. An impressive 60 per cent of renewable and recycled materials have already been integrated into some tires due to the utilisation of abundant natural rubber.

The recovered carbon black is sourced from a specialised pyrolysis process; end-of-life tires are effectively broken down in industrial furnaces, allowing for the extraction and recycling of valuable raw materials. This innovative approach facilitates the extraction and recycling of resources from end-of-life tires, contributing to a more sustainable future through recycling. Solid tires–known for their high load capacity, stability, puncture resistance, low maintenance requirements, and cost-effectiveness–are primarily employed in material handling applications. These applications include forklift trucks, airport vehicles, heavy transport vehicles, side loaders, platform trucks, and industrial vehicles.

The process is presently compatible only with low-speed tires, excluding high-speed tires, yet this development is significant as solid tires are widely used globally. Electric-powered forklift trucks reign supreme in intralogistics, prioritising factors such as battery range and charging duration. Integrating low rolling resistance tires is paramount for reducing energy usage to extend vehicle range. Employing rubber compounds from these recycled tires can attain heightened energy efficiency and, concurrently, diminish the overall energy consumption of specialised vehicles, all while preserving valuable natural resources.

The tire manufacturer is actively involved in refining and expanding the tire recycling process using pyrolysis for end-of-life tires, aiming to enhance efficiency and sustainability in tire production while maintaining the original objective. This partnership represents just one facet of their broader commitment to environmental responsibility. Incorporating recovered carbon black from end-of-life tires is pivotal in embracing circular business practices within Continental's tire production. The company is unwavering in its dedication to advancing innovative technologies and sustainable products and services throughout its entire value chain, from responsibly sourced materials to end-of-life tire recycling. At the latest, their ultimate goal is to achieve 100 per cent carbon neutrality across their entire value chain by 2050.

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