Recycling of Waste Rubber: An Overview Waste rubber is a type of solid waste that comes from various sources. The primary origins include discarded rubber products such as tires, belts, hoses, and rubber shoes, with tires being the most common. Additionally, rubber factories generate scraps and by-products during the manufacturing process. These materials represent significant potential for recycling and reutilization. The utilization of waste rubber can be categorized into two main approaches: direct use and physical-chemical processing. Direct applications include tire retreading, soil erosion control, ship fenders, sports facilities, track buffers, and construction dust suppression. On the other hand, physical and chemical methods involve processes like producing rubber powder, recycled rubber, rubber asphalt, thermal cracking, and even direct fuel use. China is one of the largest consumers of natural rubber globally, with an annual consumption of nearly 6 million tons, placing it at the top of the world rankings. However, the country faces a shortage of domestic rubber resources, relying on imports for almost 45% of its needs each year. This situation is unlikely to change in the short term, making the proper disposal and recycling of used rubber essential. Recycling not only helps conserve natural resources but also reduces environmental pollution, contributing to a cleaner and healthier living environment. Currently, the main focus of domestic waste rubber recycling is on the production of recycled rubber and rubber powder. While China remains the world’s largest producer of recycled rubber, with over 500 companies and an annual output of around 2.45 million tons, the industry still faces challenges. In contrast, the production of rubber powder is in its early stages, with approximately 40 manufacturers and an annual output of about 250,000 tons. Compared to advanced countries, China's rubber powder industry is still underdeveloped. To meet stricter environmental regulations and improve sustainability, China must consider shifting the direction of its recycled rubber industry. The production and application of rubber powder are seen as promising options that align with national conditions and have strong growth potential. Rubber powder can be produced through several methods, including normal temperature grinding, low-temperature grinding, and wet or solution-based grinding. Each method has different impacts on the quality, output, efficiency, and cost of the final product. Among these, normal temperature pulverization remains the dominant technique due to its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. Over time, the production of rubber powder has evolved from coarse to fine, with advancements leading to the development of ultra-fine and modified rubber powders. The dosage of rubber powder in polymer matrices is limited by performance requirements, especially in rubber-based applications. To enhance its value, modification of rubber powder is often necessary. Modified rubber powder improves compatibility with the matrix, increases dosage, and enhances mechanical properties such as tensile strength, fatigue resistance, tear resistance, and wear resistance. This makes it more suitable for industrial applications and expands its use in rubber compound processing. Article from Hong Kong Plastics Recycling: http://ProShow-29.aspx
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