Scrap tires rank among the most produced solid wastes globally. While resistant to natural degradation and classified as pollutants, they also possess inherent resource potential.
Among various scrap tire recycling methods, pyrolysis is regarded as the ultimate approach, transforming “black pollution” into substantial economic value. The tire pyrolysis process involves complex physicochemical changes, with its economic value primarily derived from the resulting products: tire pyrolysis oil, carbon black, steel wires, and non-condensable combustible gas.
I. Applications and Economic Value of Pyrolysis Oil
As the primary product of scrap tire pyrolysis—making the process essentially “tire-to-oil” conversion—pyrolysis oil boasts a high calorific value. It can be directly used as industrial or marine fuel, or further processed through blending and hydro-refining into gasoline/diesel. Thus, pyrolysis oil can substitute for crude oil, delivering significant economic benefits.
II. Recovered Carbon Black: Enabling a Closed-Loop for ScrapTires
Recovered carbon black serves as a crucial reinforcing agent for rubber products, enabling its use in new tire manufacturing and closing the loop from waste to new tires. It also finds applications in plastic color masterbatches and asphalt modifiers. Deep processing can substantially enhance its value, allowing it to replace conventional carbon black. As a marketable commodity, recovered carbon black generates direct economic returns.
III. Other By-Products
– Steel Wires: Another pyrolysis output, these can be recycled for steelmaking or processed into metal abrasives like cast steel shot/grit for direct sale. Further refinement into high-value abrasives supports mechanical component cleaning.
– Combustible Gas: Approximately sufficient to power the pyrolysis process itself, it enables energy self-sufficiency, reduces external energy consumption, and lowers operational costs. Adjusting parameters can increase gas yield for heating or electricity generation.
In summary, scrap tire pyrolysis offers considerable economic value, representing the optimal solution for comprehensive tire utilization.
Niutech, a globally renowned pyrolysis equipment manufacturer, exemplifies this through its large-scale continuous pyrolysis technology. Its equipment significantly outperforms traditional tire-to-oil systems in environmental compliance, efficiency, and stability, delivering superior long-term operational performance and widespread adoption across multiple countries and regions.
Pyrolysis achieves “reduction, harmlessness, and resource recovery” of scrap tires, effectively avoiding the land consumption and secondary pollution associated with traditional landfilling and incineration. By maximizing resource conversion (“total utilization”), it reduces reliance on virgin petroleum resources and helps lower carbon emissions across the lifecycle.
Furthermore, primary products like pyrolysis oil and crude carbon black can be upgraded for high-value applications, extending into downstream sectors. For instance, processing crude carbon black into industrial-grade fine carbon black (e.g., N220, N330) yields far greater value than selling it as fuel. Niutech’s ISCC PLUS certification enables access to premium international markets with price advantages.
This industry supports the development of a green circular economy and provides solutions for “zero-waste cities.” A 10,000-ton annual capacity tire pyrolysis project not only processes substantial solid waste but also creates employment opportunities across the industrial chain.
Overall, beyond its clear environmental benefits, the economic value of scrap tire pyrolysis serves as the primary driver for industry growth and advancement.