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TECHNOLOGY
Tyromer Helps Retreaders Reduce Costs and Make Greater Impact by Jon Visaisouk, Tyromer Inc.
Those of us in the industry already know the benefits and impact of retreading – using fewer resources, conserving energy, and reducing costs for consumers, among others. Retreading contributes to a circular economy, where old tyres can be reused and made into retreaded tyres and used again.
Now, with a highly engineered recycled rubber material, Tyromer Inc. is helping retreaders make an even greater impact and reducing their own costs by incorporating recycled material into new tread compound. Yes. Tyromer produces TDP (tyre- derived polymer) from end-of-life tyre rubber. TDP can replace master batch tread compound at about 20 per cent with excellent results. TDP is not a filler material – it is a highly engineered rubber compound with dynamic properties that can be adjusted to fit specific needs and applications.
Tyromer’s technology was developed by Professor Costas Tzoganakis of the University of Waterloo, and the company has worked for a decade to optimise the product and scale the lab invention into a very stable commercial process. The Professor still drives the technical developments and R&D programme as CTO of Tyromer. Kal Tire, a leader in retreading and especially OTR/Earthmover retreading, has been using TDP at about 20% in their OTR retreading operations for over two years. While the company targets the tyre industry, TDP can replace new compound in a variety of applications such as conveyor belts, moulded goods/automotive parts, building materials, shoes, and more. During the retreading process, rubber buffings are created and generally
used for secondary applications such as making floor mats, playground material, and in some cases moulded goods. Buffings are a valuable resource, but many dealers and retreaders end up getting very little in return, or in some cases might even pay someone to get rid of them. However, Tyromer technology can turn these buffings right back into new tread material at a discounted price to virgin compound. TDP can replace around 20 per cent of pre-cured tread material. What better use than to reuse a material for its originally intended purpose?
Using buffing as feedstock for TDP, which in turn goes right back into pre-
cured tread, further enables a circular economy and gives a unique opportunity for companies looking to save costs as well as benefit the environment.
Retreaders have an untapped opportunity here, and should be aware of emerging trends. Many of us might think, “what is the cost of changing or trying something new?” In a very
competitive industr y where small differences become competitive advantages, we should instead all be thinking, “what is the cost of standing still?”
The tyre industry can be hesitant to change since quality, safety and consistency are such valued metrics. The only sure way to trust a new material is to undergo a number of tests and trials, and Tyromer uses an open innovation and collaboration model to support this.
If a company wants recycled material to work, between our technical teams and expertise we can almost always succeed. However, if a company is not keen on it and does not drive the development, then there will be a propensity for projects to stall. Everyone involved has to want to make it work. It does work.
The more we talk openly about recycled material, and the more information we can learn and share, Tyromer hopes to change perceptions and increase the usage of recycled material in the tyre industry. We know we are not the only solution, and we do not shun competitors. The problem of end-of-life tyres is too big for any one group to solve.
We ALL must do our part to help the environment and reduce the amount of resources we consume. If we can help companies save money at the same time, it’s a win-win situation. Let’s work together to find a solution that works for you.