Process development and pilot scale validation of the commercial scale rubber recycling process using an efficient novel devulcanizing agent

The “Be Tire Smart” campaign of the Canadian government and The Rubber Association of Canada strongly encourages the four R (reduce, reuse, recycle, and recover) principles to deal with the scrap tire problem in Canada. The constantly developing automotive industry and the growing number of vehicles generate massive tire demand while the management and recycling of tires at the end-of-life pose critical environmental and socioeconomic issues. The development of a low-cost, environmentally benign, and industrial-scale rubber recycling methods are gaining significant attention.
The proposed initiative, a partnership between Arduro Sustainable Rubber and the Verschuren Centre focuses on the development of a standard commercial-scale process for rubber recycling. Arduro’s patented non-hazardous chemical process uses an oxidizing agent named ArduroDevulc to break the crosslinks in sulfur vulcanized rubber. Arduro has demonstrated feasibility of performing direct devulcanization of sulfur vulcanized rubber by ArduroDevulc naturally in a desired phase at standard temperatures and pressures; thus, addressing the challenges of using aqueous solution of ArduroDevulc.
The aim of the proposed research project is to make the patented devulcanizing process of Arduro more competitive and cost-efficient before its implementation in the intended commercial-scale facility in Dartmouth, NS, Canada….

Faculty Supervisor:

Beth Mason

Student:

Partner:

Arduro

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Manufacturing

University:

The Verschuren Centre Inc.

Program: