Crumbing

Process of Recycling and Creation of Crumb Rubber

Uses

Australia

Road Construction

One of the most significant applications for crumb rubber in Australia is its use in rubberized asphalt, which improves durability and reduces road noise.

Playground Surfaces and Sports Fields

Crumb rubber is commonly used in soft fall playground surfaces and synthetic sports fields, offering impact-absorbing properties.

Moulded Products

Recycled tyre rubber is used to manufacture products like floor mats, speed bumps, and wheel stops.

United States and Canada

Rubberized Asphalt

Crumb rubber-modified asphalt is widely used in road construction across North America. The U.S. is one of the largest markets for this application.

Tire-Derived Fuel (TDF)

Some countries, including the U.S., use tyre-derived fuel as an alternative to coal in cement kilns, paper mills, and electric utilities, though this practice is more controversial due to environmental concerns.

Europe

Sports and Recreational Fields

Europe is a major market for crumb rubber in artificial turf fields. Countries like the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands have extensive use of crumb rubber in sports surfaces and playgrounds.

Rubber Products

The recycling industry in Europe also uses crumb rubber in manufacturing a wide range of products such as insulation materials, floor tiles, and construction materials.

Asia

Roads and Construction Materials

Countries like China, India, and Japan have growing markets for crumb rubber, particularly for rubberized asphalt.

Export Markets

Many developing nations export tyre waste to other regions for processing, but domestic applications, particularly in construction, are increasing.

Leading Markets

North America

The U.S. and Canada are the largest consumers of crumb rubber, particularly for asphalt modification and synthetic turf fields.

Europe

Countries like Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands lead in the use of crumb rubber for playground surfaces and sports fields. The European market is increasingly focusing on environmentally sustainable practices, leading to innovations in recycling.

Asia

China and India are significant markets for tyre-derived materials, especially for construction applications, while Japan has strong demand for crumb rubber in high-end industrial uses.

Australia

The local crumb rubber market is focused on infrastructure projects and soft fall surfaces, but there is potential for growth in exports to Asia and other regions.

Tyre Collection

Tyre Collection and Sorting: Discarded tyres are collected from vehicle service centres, landfills, or tire replacement facilities. In some countries, specific collection systems are set up to manage tyre waste

Tyre Shredding

The tyres are shredded into small pieces by specialized equipment. The steel belts and fibres are removed through mechanical or magnetic processes

Primary Shredding

The tyres are initially cut into large shreds

Secondary Shredding

These shreds are further broken down into smaller sizes, preparing them for the next stage

Grinding to Crumb Rubber

Ambient Grinding: The tyres are ground at room temperature, producing crumb rubber of various sizes

The final product, known as crumb rubber, consists of granules typically between 0.5 mm to 4 mm in size, which can vary depending on the intended use.

Separation of Materials

The crumb rubber is separated from other materials such as fibres and metals using air classifiers, magnets, and sieves

This step ensures the rubber particles are clean and free from contamination.

"..used rubber products are a valuable resource, and finding a new life for them offers many environmental, social, and economic benefits, particularly in regional and remote Australia"

Tyre Stewardship Australia

"It's time to accept that evidence, think about the future we want, and act on the choices we can make today"

Tyre Stewardship Australia

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