About tyre scrap
Types of Tyre Scrap
pTyre scrap is produced when used tyres or vehicle wheel components become defective or are replaced due to normal wear-and-tear. It can take many types, which include:
Passenger Car Tyres
pThese have a rubber compound blend that provides elasticity and tread durability. Their thinner and more complex structural designs make them ideal for producing tyre scrap which can be recycled into mats, flooring, or playground surfaces.
Truck Tyres
pDue to their heavier-duty construction, they can provide more robust and larger scrap pieces suitable for recycling into construction materials or for use in rubberized asphalt.
All-Terrain Tyres
pThese tires have tougher rubber compounds which can withstand off-road abuse. Their tread patterns provide more durable tyre scrap suited for heavy-duty applications, like soundproof barriers or flooring in industrial settings.
Industrial Tyres
pThese are fitted on machinery, forklifts, and heavy vehicles. They are manufactured with a unique rubber blend to resist wear and tear, making their scrap valuable in recycling initiatives.
Bicycle Tyres
pThough smaller, the bicycle tyre scraps can still be recycled. Their thinner rubber designs can be converted into materials suitable for low-impact uses like repairs or minor household items.
Track Tyres
pThese are used in large trucks and trains as roadbeds and are mounted with thick rubber treads to sustain heavies capacities and huge tyre scraps suitable for diverse industrial uses. Their robust construction means they will be reused in many recycled products.
Rubber & Plastics
Parts
pTyres are made of plastic and a complex rubber composition with varied materials. These mixtures of materials and their parts are discussed below:
Rubber Parts
pTyres are primarily composed of natural rubber, a durable and elastic material manufactured from latex sap extracted from rubber trees. The flexibility and strength of natural rubber enable tyres to absorb shocks and maintain their shape while rolling on roads.Alongside natural rubber, synthetic rubber, like styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), is also used due to its strong wear-resistance properties. This is particularly important for the tread of the tyre, which goes through constant friction with the road surface.
Belt
pThe tyre belt is the layer of steel belts which reinforce the tyre structure. Most materials used in these steel belts are made from steel fibers like high-carbon steel or nylon, giving the tyre strength and rigidity. This ensures that the tyre can carry heavy vehicle loads while maintaining its shape and minimizing deformation.
Tread
pThe tread area of the tyre comes into direct contact with the ground. It is responsible for providing traction and determining how well the tyre performs in varied weather conditions. The tread is manufactured from a specialized rubber compound consisting of carbon black, silica, and other chemicals.Carbon black improves tyre durability by preventing tread wear, while silica enhances wet grip and reduces rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency. Various tread patterns are designed to channel water and provide better grip on slippery surfaces, thereby reducing aquaplaning risk.
Plastics Parts
pTyres are not predominantly plastic parts, although some may incorporate plastic materials such as sidewall reinforcement. Plastics, including polyamide and polyester, are used in tread design and traction enhancement.Besides, plastics are used to manufacture tyre mounting equipment and tools like tyre changers, which are crucial for the quick and safe change of tyres during repairs or replacements.
How to Use
Rebuilding
pThis is the primary use of tyre scrap. It is where the old tread is removed from the tyre casing, and a new tread is added. This way, the tyre can be reused multiple times, thus lowering the overall cost and reducing environmental impact.
Rubberized Asphalt
pGround tyre rubber is added to asphalt in rubberized asphalt application. The rubber improves road elasticity and durability, thus creating longer-lasting and more resilient roads that can withstand extreme weather and heavy traffic.
Material for Floors
pTyre waste can be shredded into smaller pieces and then used as low-cost flooring material for commercial areas and outdoor settings, like playgrounds or fitness areas.
Sound Barriers
pWhen shredded and mounted into structures, tyre scraps can be effective in absorbing noise, making them good materials for soundproof walls in noisy environments, like highways or industrial centers.
Cushioning
pTyre scraps provides cushioning and support and is frequently used in manufacturing mats for workers who stand for long hours in hazardous areas.
Incineration
pWhere there are no feasible recycling option, tyres can be incinerated in controlled conditions to recover energy, although this is less preferred due to emissions without proper treatment.
How to Choose Tyre Scrap
Assessing Quality and Condition
pThe first and most important step for buyers is to assess the type and quality of tyre scrap they require. Factors to consider here include the type (passenger, industrial, or truck), size of scrap, and grade or condition (shredded, whole, or chipped). These will ensure the tyre scrap can meet intended usage.
Checking Certifications
pBuyers should examine the scrap tyre provider’s certification for environmental compliance and quality assurance. Certifications can ensure that the tyre scrap is processed and disposed of efficiently, promoting safety and environmental standards.
Considering the Source
pBuyers must ensure they are sourcing their tyre scrap from reputable and reliable tyre dealers to avoid potentially hazardous scrap from unidentified sources. Known tyre dealers will have a haul-off or drop-off recycling method for used tyres. They will also provide history or documentation for the recycled tyres.
Evaluating Pricing
pPrices of tyre scraps can vary, depending on condition, type, and market demands. Buyers should remember overall project costs in addition to scrap pricing. Some of the extra costs to consider are transportation and processing costs.
Assessing the Environmental Impact
pBuyers must evaluate the potential environmental impact of their scrap tyre choices. Old tyres often leak toxic substances into the ground and take long to decompose. Choose suppliers where the environmental impact has been minimized through effective management practices.
Q&A
Can tyre scraps be recycled?
pYes. Many of the materials from the used tyres can be recycled and repurposed. Recycling reduces landfill waste and environmental pollution caused by untamed tyres.
Are all kinds of tyres suitable for recycling?
pMost tyres can be recycled. However, tyres that have been heavily contaminated or damaged, that is, beyond reasonable repair, may not be recyclable due to high cost of containing them.
What are some common products made from recycled tyres?
Recycled tyres are used to manufacture rubberized asphalt, mats and flooring, new tyre products, sound barriers, and industrial products, like cushioning and insulation.
Does tyre recycling have any economic benefits?
pYes, tyre recycling has some economic benefits. By reducing the cost of raw materials for new products and providing affordable environmentally-friendly solutions, tyre recycling creates jobs associated with collecting, transporting and processing tyre scraps.