Tirecycle™ products are incorporated as a major functional part of new rubber/plastic products, not just dead filler as in current asphalt and playground applications, nor as air displacement in tire manufacture.
Technically Integrated Recycle™
The Tirecycle™ process converts used tires and other rubber wastes from an overwhelming environmental nuisance into a raw material with significant commercial value to the rubber and plastics industry in the manufacture of tire tread, many thermoset and thermoplastic compounds, etc. With billions of pounds of rubber in use every year, the tire industry is the biggest creator of waste rubber, and thereby has the greatest potential as a market for Tirecycle™ treatment and treated crumb rubber.
Tirecycle™ Production from Activator
The production process (in our plant or at your production line) involves the application of a small percentage of Treatment K adhesive polymer to a large percentage of crumb rubber in a mixer (Banbury works best). The adhesive polymer, combined with the mixing process, serves to activate the previously “dead” particles of rubber crumb. At the completion of this stage, powdered or amorphous Tirecycle™ products are bagged/boxed for shipment to the customer. This stream of Tirecycle™ compound may be further processed with virgin synthetic or natural rubber compounds to produce a fully compounded sheet stock, which can be used directly in compression molding applications.
Tirecycle™ Application
Tirecycle™ products have proven to be a commercially viable and effective raw material in the manufacture of tire tread, hoses, molded mechanical items, floor tiles, roofing, plumbing parts, shoe outsoles, railroad crossings, automotive equipment, other injection molded and extruded polypropylene and polyethylene parts and miscellaneous items.
A typical application enables the user to incorporate as much as 30% to 75% of T 608 or MBS 800 into their rubber or plastic compound without significantly affecting the physical properties of the compound. Depending on the actual blend and concentration of Tirecycle™ used, the compounder’s raw material costs can be reduced by 20% to 50%. Use of Tirecycle™ also enhances performance/wear of many high stress goods such as industrial and automotive v-belts, tires, footwear, etc., by increasing stability and traction (in particular on wet surfaces) and overall durability. Tirecycle™ provides other significant manufacturing efficiencies (i.e. using about 1/3 less time to mix, mold, and cure rubber products such as tires – like adding a 4th shift to a 24/7 plant).