MoreThanWaste.com - New report published on tyre-derived steel and fibre (31/07/2007)

" The report has revealed a great opportunity for tyre reprocessors to separate steel and fibre from tyres and promote the use of these materials in other applications. This will help divert a high tonnage of material from landfill each year, as well as presenting specifiers with another quality recycled material for consideration in a range of new or developing end uses"

Steve Waite, Project Manager for Tyres at WRAP

Research has identified potential end uses for difficult to recycle waste tyre components.

WRAP has recently published a report on work it commissioned from Juniper Consultancy. The consultancy undertook an investigation to determine the current and potential end-use applications for scrap-tyre-derived steel and fibre materials in the UK and Europe.

Waste tyres have been a major waste management problem for a few decades and in some cases have involved serious environmental pollution, particularly when large numbers catch fire. Apart from the smoke plume, an oily, contaminating fluid is produced and there has been known groundwater pollution that can be difficult to rectify.

The research has shown that over 100,000 tonnes of steel and 17,000 tonnes of fibre could be recovered from scrap tyres generated in the UK each year. However the report also says that only one third of these quantities is currently recoverable due to the way scrap tyres are managed by UK tyre reprocessors.

The research also looked at markets for tyre-derived steel and fibre as well as evaluating the possible barriers in the use of these materials in end-applications.

Because of the economic aspects of processing, the separation of steel and fibre in the UK is currently limited to high value granulate or powdered rubber processes where the elimination of contaminants is important. The research also identified that processes such as pyrolysis and microwaving could become important routes in the future for the recovery of quality steel and fibre.

Waste tyres (Photo: WRAP)

Tyre-derived steel (TDS)

Steel reprocessing seems to be an obvious outlet for TDS but at present there is only one steel reprocessing company in the UK utilising tyre-derived steel mainly due to quality considerations, according to the report. Even here the re-processor is further limiting TDS use and may eliminate it altogether.

However export of this material is understood to be significant but data is limited and TDS is included in ‘general scrap’ making analysis difficult.

The report indicates that around 17% of the metal from used tyres goes into cement kilns simply as a component of the tyre, without separation at a tyre processor.

WRAP considers that the report highlights the opportunity for industry to develop new and improved processes and open up potential markets. The organisation considers that opportunities in this market are considerable and that the barriers and opportunities highlighted by the report, to develop processes and guidance will allow tyre reprocessors to produce high quality TDS.

A potential high-value application for the use of TDS is in reinforced concrete, though a limitation is the strict specification required in civil engineering construction.

The use of reinforcing bars in concrete is a well known civil engineering technique to give concrete an element of tensile strength. However the use of steel fibres is still at the research stage with Sheffield University being given prominence in the study.

The report indicates that the Sheffield studies suggest contamination levels of less than 5% allow bonding between the steel and concrete and indicates a preference for TDS from whole tyres treated by pyrolysis, including microwave treatment.

Reinforced concrete’s requirement for appropriate lengths and specification for steel reinforcement may limit the application to certain types of tyre recycling

Tyre-derived fibre

The reports authors identified ten current and potential applications for tyre-derived fibre. The applications range from its use as a fuel to use in the manufacture of packaging material. Currently the uptake of these applications is very limited.

As in other recycling markets, WRAP says that the image of TDS and fibre as a waste materials itself creates a barrier within the market though perceptions are changing.

Recovering energy from fibre is an important activity in Europe including the UK. Use of tyres for energy production for example in cement kilns includes all the components of a complete tyre including TDS and fibre.

WRAP says that it has also identified limited use in the EU of tyre-derived fibre in the insulation industry and in road paving, both of which have the potential for growth in the UK.

Landfill has been identified in the report to be the most common disposal option for separated tyre fibre.

Steve Waite said:
“The report has revealed a great opportunity for tyre reprocessors to separate steel and fibre from tyres and promote the use of these materials in other applications. This will help divert a high tonnage of material from landfill each year, as well as presenting specifiers with another quality recycled material for consideration in a range of new or developing end uses.

“With extensive research and development into the end use applications for these materials, and clients increasingly setting requirements for the use of materials with recycled content, the markets for tyre-derived steel and fibre have potential to develop further.”

Further information

A copy of the Juniper report can be downloaded from the WRAP website.


	New report published on tyre-derived steel and fibre (31/07/2007) " The report has revealed a great opportunity for tyre reprocessors to separate steel and fibre from tyres and promote the use of these materials in other applications. This will help divert a high tonnage of material from landfill each year, as well as presenting specifiers with another quality recycled material for consideration in a range of new or developing end uses" Steve Waite, Project Manager for Tyres at WRAP Research has identified potential end uses for difficult to recycle waste tyre components. WRAP has recently published a report on work it commissioned from Juniper Consultancy. The consultancy undertook an investigation to determine the current and potential end-use applications for scrap-tyre-derived steel and fibre materials in the UK and Europe. Waste tyres have been a major waste management problem for a few decades and in some cases have involved serious environmental pollution, particularly when large numbers catch fire. Apart from the smoke plume, an oily, contaminating fluid is produced and there has been known groundwater pollution that can be difficult to rectify. The research has shown that over 100,000 tonnes of steel and 17,000 tonnes of fibre could be recovered from scrap tyres generated in the UK each year. However the report also says that only one third of these quantities is currently recoverable due to the way scrap tyres are managed by UK tyre reprocessors. The research also looked at markets for tyre-derived steel and fibre as well as evaluating the possible barriers in the use of these materials in end-applications. Because of the economic aspects of processing, the separation of steel and fibre in the UK is currently limited to high value granulate or powdered rubber processes where the elimination of contaminants is important. The research also identified that processes such as pyrolysis and microwaving could become important routes in the future for the recovery of quality steel and fibre. Waste tyres (Photo: WRAP) Tyre-derived steel (TDS) Steel reprocessing seems to be an obvious outlet for TDS but at present there is only one steel reprocessing company in the UK utilising tyre-derived steel mainly due to quality considerations, according to the report. Even here the re-processor is further limiting TDS use and may eliminate it altogether. However export of this material is understood to be significant but data is limited and TDS is included in ‘general scrap’ making analysis difficult. The report indicates that around 17% of the metal from used tyres goes into cement kilns simply as a component of the tyre, without separation at a tyre processor. WRAP considers that the report highlights the opportunity for industry to develop new and improved processes and open up potential markets. The organisation considers that opportunities in this market are considerable and that the barriers and opportunities highlighted by the report, to develop processes and guidance will allow tyre reprocessors to produce high quality TDS. A potential high-value application for the use of TDS is in reinforced concrete, though a limitation is the strict specification required in civil engineering construction. The use of reinforcing bars in concrete is a well known civil engineering technique to give concrete an element of tensile strength. However the use of steel fibres is still at the research stage with Sheffield University being given prominence in the study. The report indicates that the Sheffield studies suggest contamination levels of less than 5% allow bonding between the steel and concrete and indicates a preference for TDS from whole tyres treated by pyrolysis, including microwave treatment. Reinforced concrete’s requirement for appropriate lengths and specification for steel reinforcement may limit the application to certain types of tyre recycling Tyre-derived fibre The reports authors identified ten current and potential applications for tyre-derived fibre. The applications range from its use as a fuel to use in the manufacture of packaging material. Currently the uptake of these applications is very limited. As in other recycling markets, WRAP says that the image of TDS and fibre as a waste materials itself creates a barrier within the market though perceptions are changing. Recovering energy from fibre is an important activity in Europe including the UK. Use of tyres for energy production for example in cement kilns includes all the components of a complete tyre including TDS and fibre. WRAP says that it has also identified limited use in the EU of tyre-derived fibre in the insulation industry and in road paving, both of which have the potential for growth in the UK. Landfill has been identified in the report to be the most common disposal option for separated tyre fibre. Steve Waite said: “The report has revealed a great opportunity for tyre reprocessors to separate steel and fibre from tyres and promote the use of these materials in other applications. This will help divert a high tonnage of material from landfill each year, as well as presenting specifiers with another quality recycled material for consideration in a range of new or developing end uses. “With extensive research and development into the end use applications for these materials, and clients increasingly setting requirements for the use of materials with recycled content, the markets for tyre-derived steel and fibre have potential to develop further.” Further information A copy of the Juniper report can be downloaded from the WRAP website.