Southern Rubber
(SR) P/L,
has developed and patented a technology to commercially
produce very fine rubber powder called Fractal
Rubber Powder (FRP).
This
is a revolutionary new process of non-mechanical
grinding of scrap tyres to commercially produce
very fine rubber powder (below 100µ) for
recycling back into new tyres. This process enables
particle size and distribution to be controlled,
and results in irregular particles with a very
large morphology (surface area). FRP
can effectively be produced at below 100µ
with a surface area of 1.5 - 2.0m²/gm (up
to 8 times larger than from existing technologies).
The Southern
Rubber process is unique in as far
as fully controlling the particle size and distribution,
separating production of tread, sidewall and butyl
rubbers found in tyres and very little heat generation
during processing.
This
will be the first commercially viable process
capable of supplying recycled rubber to the tyre,
tyre treading and conveyor belt manufacturers.
The
industry feedback indicates that between 20% of
FRP
can be added to new tyres without any deterioration
in critical properties! This puts market size
of FRP
at about 3 million tonnes/year, with a replacement
value of US $9,000 million! A potentially even
greater market exists for FRP
in the polymer & paint markets!
Southern
Rubber will supply FRP
plants to the tyre manufacturers, and license
the use of its technology.
For
more information regarding Southern
Rubber and rubber recycling, visit
our Recycling Technology page, or send an email
to danek@jet-net.com.au
