In Russia, a new method of tire recycling has been developed

Researchers from RTU MIREA have created a new way to recycle used tires, which, as they say in the press service, allows for the conversion of waste into raw materials for the production of construction and industrial materials, while also reducing the volume of difficult-to-recycle waste.

The essence of the new method is that both rubber and polyester are processed in one reactor, which is especially relevant in the case of waste polyethylene terephthalate cord, which is extracted from tires during disposal. During the processing of rubber, technical carbon is released, which acts as a stabilizer, preventing premature curing of the resin - the final product of the process. Thanks to this, as the scientists say, the need for additional chemical stabilizers completely disappears, which is the main advantage of the new development.

"Our approach combines two processes - glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate and devulcanization of rubber. As a result, we do not just dispose of waste, but obtain a new material, where the products of rubber processing are included in the polymer structure, improving its mechanical properties," - noted Alexander Gerval'd, associate professor of the Department of Chemistry and Technology of High Molecular Weight Compounds named after S.S. Medvedev of RTU MIREA.

It is reported that the resulting resins have high mechanical properties, such as strength and hardness, and are suitable for various applications, including the production of composite materials, construction elements, etc.

"We were able to select such conditions and reagents that make the process efficient and manageable," - said Roman Toms, associate professor of the Department of Chemistry and Technology of High Molecular Weight Compounds named after S.S. Medvedev of RTU MIREA. - "This demonstrates that even complex multi-component waste can be converted into a resource, bypassing the stage of complex and expensive separation."

A patent has already been obtained for the technology, and the university notes that "instead of traditional disposal methods, such as burning or storage in landfills, waste can now be used as a full-fledged raw material for industry, reducing the anthropogenic impact on nature and preserving valuable natural resources."

Photo: RTU MIREA press service