Rubber Recovery and Crumb Rubber win WRAP Tender

The results of WRAP’s (the Waste & Resources Action Programme) open tender are now in and Rubber Recovery Ltd, based in Barnsley, and Crumb Rubber Ltd, from Devon, have been named as winners. The tender asked potential applications to come up with new products made from used tyre. One of the winning suggestions uses retreading, while the other is based on a new concept.

Rubber Recovery Ltd, based in Barnsley, is investigating the production of a retread compound with significant recycled content. Using technology proven overseas, they will be developing a process that adds special polymers to the recycled rubber crumb, enabling it to become chemically reactive again with virgin compounds. The retread compound will be used on truck and earthmover tyres.

Rubber Recovery Ltd director Paul Mathers explains: “This technology could significantly enhance the value and the performance of recycled rubber in retread compounds and allow higher volumes to be used in the future.”

In the second project, operational trials of a retread tyre produced using an alternative technology are being undertaken by Crumb Rubber Ltd of Devon. The company’s ambient mechanical abrasive process is producing an ultra fine powder, which is expected to show improved interactivity with virgin rubber blends. The improved performance characteristics of the powder are expected to lead to higher potential inclusion rates in virgin rubber blends.

David Young, managing director of Crumb Rubber, said: “This project will now test under commercial conditions, the performance of different levels of recycled powder in retread compounds. Once we’ve established the most promising blends, we will be testing them on a local fleet of delivery trucks.”

These projects are part of a wider Tyres Programme being carried out by WRAP. Research and operational trials are also underway to test further applications for the construction industry, including roof tiles, concrete blocks, floor underlay and wall panels and for road surfacing.

Steve Waite, materials project manager (Tyres) at WRAP, said: “With shredded tyres banned from landfill sites from July WRAP is working to develop new technologies and uses for recycled tyre rubber. These exciting projects have been funded because they offer the potential to significantly increase the use of recycled tyre rubber in the retreading of truck and earthmover tyres.”