Processors
Processing Plants
Interesting facts:
The answer to "which way is the best way of processing waste tyres?" depends on a wide range of factors. Firstly you should have a pretty good idea of the market demand in your area.
For example, it would make little sense to set up a cryogenic plant and produce fine rubber powder if the demand in your area is mostly for coarser rubber granules.
Examples of use are: Tiles and tile adhesives, mixing with asphalt, sports surfaces, carpet underlay, noise and vibration insulation, playgrounds and matting. Simply selling crumb is not a very viable business as the market is very limited.
There could also be some particular circumstances at your location that may favour one specific technology and impede another.
Most of the recycling processes require large capital costs. A recycling plant can cost anything from R20 million to R250 million. Thorough market research and prudent technology selection are the two key factors to success in this industry.
Only after you have decided what products you intend make, should you approach the question of technology selection.
There is very helpful information on the USA Rubber Manufacturers Association's site for starting up a recycling plant: Download the "CONSIDERATIONS FOR STARTING A SCRAP TIRE COMPANY"
Some of the Products made out of waste tyres:
- Crumb Rubber Asphalt in roads. Lengthens surface life and gives a smoother ride as well as dampening road noise
- Low-income housing using waste tyres as the main structural material
- Rubber Materials Inc. Austin Texas, combined waste tyres with polyethylene or polypropylene, for use by original Equipment manufacturers to make their polymer products stronger, more elastic and longer-lasting.
- In Washington - park benches, carpet backing, Railroad crossings are frequently made with recycled rubber.
- Rubberised synthetic turf for tee boxes at golf courses and driving ranges.
- Running tracks, gymnasiums, fitness facilities, skating and hockey rinks, indoor and outdoor athletic fields, children's playgrounds, polo and equestrian fields.
- Eco-Blocks is a patented process of Lakeland. Tyres are crushed into bales, bound with carbon steel banding, then encapsulated with concrete to form blocks weighing 10,000 pounds (±4,545kg) and containing approximately 140 tyres, which could be used as sound barriers, retaining walls, breakwaters and river channels.
Permits
Please contact the local Provincial Department of Environmental Affairs authorities for the necessary permits and procedures required. The local fire station will also have to issue permits.
EIA
The Department of Environmental Affairs, EIA requirements for a Waste Tyre Processing plant:
- Anybody setting up or operating a waste tyre plant has to have an EIA done.
- There is an exemption for very small plants, depending on the quantity.
- Starting with a scoping report, which is to be sent to DEA Pretoria, Tsebo Mohapi. (012 310 3861)
- DEA undertake to answer within one month to give the go-ahead with the full EIA.
- A consultant then has to complete the EIA and submits it again to DEA Pretoria for approval.
- If DEA is satisfied with the results they issue a License under which the operation can operate.
Tenders
Waste Tyre Processors
A waste tyre processors is defined as "any person or entity that is engaged in the commercial re-use, recycling or recovery of waste tyres".
A tender process will be instituted in order to allow for free competition in the allocation of the waste tyres collected. The SATRP Company will advertise the mass and category of waste tyres being offered for tender from time to time.
Appointment of waste tyre processors by the SATRP Company
Successful tenderers will be awarded contracts for a period up to five years entitling them to an allocation of the waste tyres collected.
Only waste tyres processors in possession of a permit, license or exemption, issued by DEA enabling them to carry out a waste management activity, will be eligible to receive waste tyres.
