Reuse of carbon black from end-of-life tires in new pneumatic formulations and life-cycle assessment of the thermolysis process

Abstract

Carbon black derived from end-of-life tires (ELTs) through thermolysis process was studied. The main attraction of this material is the low market price (€450 ton⁻¹) compared with virgin carbon black (about €700 ton⁻¹). Investigation was focused on the vulcanization reaction of rubber with the addition of both types of carbon black, that is, carbon black recycled (CBr) from the thermolysis of ELTs and carbon black virgin (CBv) from traditional oil process. The aim of the research was to verify that CBr has similar reactivity than CBv when blended with rubber and vulcanized. Furthermore, environmental benefits of recovering CBr and the other coproducts were evaluated by means of the life-cycle assessment methodology.

Keywords

Elastomers vulcanization waste tires carbon black life-cycle assessment thermolysis

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