ZC Rubber tyre recycling project awarded Chinese industry technological advancement prize

A project led by a ZC Rubber recycling subsidiary has won the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation’s (CPCIF) first prize in technological advancement. Zhongce Rubber Recycling Technology’s ‘Demonstration Project of Waste Rubber Recycle & Application Technology’ was completed in collaboration with Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Nanjing Green Gold Giant Rubber & Plastic Advanced Technology Co, Ltd. ZC Rubber is the first company in the Chinese tyre industry to receive this honour.

ZC Rubber explains that the project made “significant advancements in eco-friendly tyre recycling technology” thanks to its development of innovative methods and specialised equipment that produced solid and liquid reclaimed rubber. China faces the highest annual production of waste tyres in the world. Yet traditional methods of reclaimed rubber production for waste heavy-duty tyres have been associated with pollution, high energy consumption, safety risks, and unstable product quality. Similarly, recycling end of life passenger car tyres has in the past relied on crude oil refining methods, lacking green resource utilisation technology. Additionally, the use of reclaimed materials into tyres has been limited, with challenges in maintaining performance and stability.

Achieving eco-friendly recycling of waste tires and the successful application of reclaimed material in tires have enormous significance in eliminating environmental pollution caused by waste tyres, alleviating the shortage of rubber resources in China, and reducing dependence on petrochemical resources.

ZC Rubber says it was the first tyre company in China to embark on tyre recycling, when it engaged in recycling, reusing, and repurposing efforts in 2005. It credits the establishment of Zhongce Rubber Recycling Technology with its leadership position the way in sustainable tyre practices in China.

ZC Rubber has collaborated closely with domestic and international research institutions to develop a comprehensive recycling industrial value chain encompassing tire recycling, sorting, retreading, pyrolysis, and more.

To date, ZC Rubber has recycled 400,000 tons of waste tyres (the equivalent of 1.7 million tyres), resulting in a reduction of 510,000 tons of carbon emissions – comparable to planting 27.87 million trees.

The manufacturer adds that it is committed to carbon neutrality in manufacturing and minimising its overall environmental impact for a more sustainable business.