The growing problem of environmental pollution and utilization of plastics and rubber waste in industrial and ​consumer applications, combined with ever increasing demand of fuel and energy, has led to a critical need for solution where the waste can be converted into productive energy. The tyre industry produces over 10 million scrap tyres every year, tyres which cause pollution problems and create a breeding ground for mosquitoes. Tyres are a problem because they cannot be economically recycled. More accurately, they cannot be economically recycled when the cost of not dealing with the problem is ignored. There is an estimated 60 million scrap tyres lying in stockpiles or in the veld. One of the fastest growing types of industries is recycling as it saves the environment and provides an alternative source of energy without affecting the natural resources.

Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) is currently on a mission to seek appropriate and relevant recycling technology for used tyres and rubbers to produce carbon black that is used in the manufacturing of toner cartridges for printers, hydrocarbon, to be converted into fuel oil, combustible gas and steel. This is a unique technology developed mostly by Asian countries and is not yet accessible in the region. Currently RBIDZ is in constant communication with two main Asian Companies from India and China who have set new standards of excellence in recycling technologies. The technical process of cracking the rubber tyres is remarkably superior to satisfy the growing demand for fuel and energy. It mainly involves recovering of hydrocarbons and other components present in the tyres using a proprietary catalyst under controlled temperature and pressure. 

Output: The average break up of recovery is as follows:

45-50% Hydrocarbons;
10% Combustible Gases;
30-35% Carbon Black;
10-15% Steel; and

• The hydrocarbons recovered are converted into Fuel oil which is a substitute for Light Diesel Oil or Furnace Oil.
• The Combustible Gases are used for reheating thereby reducing energy costs.
• Carbon Black can be used to manufacture further value-added products that have higher market value and demand.
• Steel extracted earns good value in the market as scrap metal for recycling.
• The products generated out of this technology have been scientifically tested by several laboratories with excellent results.

The process developed is a 100% emission free system, thus making the world cleaner and greener! RBIDZ is working with REDISA as the only authorised organisation that has a plan that aims to remove waste tyres from the South African environment. The basis for this is to subsidise the collection and recycling process by attaching a value to the collecting of scrap tyres: Once there is that incentive, individuals and small entrepreneurs will seek out and remove tyres from their community and deliver them to a collection point.

Anyone interested in this project opportunity can contact:Sibusiso Ndlovu
Tel: +27 35 788 0571/Fax: +27 35 788 0578
Email: sibusiso.ndlovu@rbidz.co.za​​​