TNU (Treatment of Used Tires) and Greenvale Technologies have been in Recovered Carbon Black Conference 2023It took place in Barcelona from November 6 to 8. This annual event has served A meeting point for innovators, experts and industry leaders, Researchers have explored the most recent developments in the field of recovered carbon black.
In this edition, The main focus is placed on carbon black Recovered from used tires through the pyrolysis process attracts experts, industry experts and interested companies. TNU is betting heavily on this process as a solution to evaluate and recycle the thousands of tons of tires produced annually in Spain.
Carbon black and its importance
Carbon Black is called „Carbon Black” in English Essential in tire manufacturing (22% of its composition) and is traditionally derived from fossil raw materials. It is made up of highly refined carbon particles and is mainly used to strengthen the tire’s rubber, which improves its vulcanization and increases its resistance to traction, torsion and wear. It acts as a pigment and UV stabilizer, resulting in the tires characteristic black color.
Pyrolysis is a solution to the shortage of carbon black and a sustainable alternative to recycling and valorizing used tires.
Although most European suppliers of carbon black are located in Ukraine and Russia, the war between them and the EC’s intention to block its import from Russia make its distribution difficult. Carbon black can be recovered from recycling used tires by pyrolysis. This process could solve the problem of thousands of tons of tires abandoned annually in Spain (295,000 last year) and the increase in the price of carbon black due to this international conflict.
Also, in response to the European Commission’s proposal to ban the use of pellets derived from tire recycling in artificial grass, with the aim of Reduces microplastic emissionsPyrolysis is emerging as a very viable alternative for recycling and valorization of end-use tires.
A clean energy source with low CO2 emissions
Used tire pyrolysis is an oxygen-free heat treatment process that breaks down the rubber into valuable resources. This process produces 85% less CO2 than other recycling methods, which is a clean energy source. For every 10,000 tons of tires recycled through pyrolysis, different resources are obtained:
• 43% (4,300 tonnes) of pyrolytic oil, which is used as fuel or for electrical or thermal energy production.
• 41% (4,100 tonnes) of carbon black is used in the production of various petrochemical products.
• 15%-16% (1,500/1,600 tonnes) of process gas is a clean energy source reused to self-supply the same pyrolytic plant.
Contribution of pyrolysis to EU objectives
Energy recovery through pyrolysis contributes to the EU’s 2030 objectives of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the use of renewable energy. This process moves towards a low-carbon circular economy, Improving sustainability and efficiency in the treatment of end-use tires.
Collaboration between TNU and Greenval Technologies
In Spain, TNU is a pioneer Aragonese company in the evaluation and recovery of waste through the pyrolysis of unused tires with its own technology for the treatment of used tires and Greenwall Technologies, developed in collaboration with CSIC (Higher Council for Scientific Research). have signed an agreement To cooperate in the development of industrial pyrolytic plants. TNU will supply Greenwall Technologies’ pyrolysis plants with raw materials, particularly chips from end-of-life tires.
The deal is part of Greenwall’s investment plan to build four pyrolytic plants in different autonomous communities in Spain. These plants will be the first of their kind in the country They will put Spain in the European lead in the number of NFU pyrolysis plants. They are expected to be strategically located near tire treatment and recycling facilities, improving resources and promoting a circular economy. Each plant will have the capacity to refine 10,000 tons of final tire chips per year, with a modular design and a total investment of 12 million euros per plant.