Innovative and compact process for recycling rubberInnovative and compact process for recycling rubbersuitable to improve the environmental footprint of the tyresuitable to improve the environmental footprint of the tyreindustry over the life-cycleindustry over the life-cycle

Reporting

Project informationProject information

Grant agreement ID: 733676Grant agreement ID: 733676 Project website Project website

StatusClosed projectClosed project

REW-TYRES

Start date1 October 20161 October 2016

End date30 September 201930 September 2019

Funded under:H2020-EU.3.5.H2020-EU.3.5.H2020-EU.2.3.1.H2020-EU.2.3.1.

Coordinated by:ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SPAELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SPA

ItalyItaly

Overall budget:€ 3 542 500

EU contribution€ 2 479 750

  

Periodic Reporting for period 3 - REW-TYRES (Innovative and compactPeriodic Reporting for period 3 - REW-TYRES (Innovative and compactprocess for recycling rubber suitable to improve the environmental footprintprocess for recycling rubber suitable to improve the environmental footprintof the tyre industry over the life-cycle)of the tyre industry over the life-cycle)

Reporting period: 2018-10-01 to 2019-09-30

The project aims at developing and bringing to the market an innovative process for recycling rubber in the tyre industry. The process is a sequence of mechanical operations implemented by a compact dedicated line to be implemented in two versions that apply to different phases of the tyres lifecycle as follows: REWORK: the main version that applies to tyre production to rework all scraps and non-compliant components and produce rubber 100% reusable in the main production; RECYCLE: a variant of process that applies to recovering rubber from end-of-life tyres (ELT) to produce rubber compounds usable for moulded applications. The variants include the phases where rubber is recovered from ELT and de-vulcanised. The two versions are conceived to serve different customer segments, speci�cally the REWORK for tyre manufacturers to improve eco-e�ciency and reduce costs of production, the RECYCLE for recyclers of

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the projectSummary of the context and overall objectives of the project

ELT to produce cleaner, more usable forms of recycled rubber suitable to open new high-value application opportunities and increase pro�tability of that recycling business. In both segments the business models and the value chains are consolidated and the needs to be served are explicit, thus creating a very favourable context for the commercial exploitation. The project builds on a solid technological and business background. ELSY is the global leader of specialised machines and control systems for the tyre and plastic industries. The innovative process was conceived to respond to needs that came out from the day-by-day relationship with all the main manufacturers worldwide. The REW-TYRES project aims at 1) developing the enabling subsystems for the REWORK and RECYCLE lines, 2) building prototype versions of the two lines, 3) carrying out validation tests, 4) carrying out industrialisation including design and suppliers engagement, 5) organising exploitation including engagement of key partners and de�nition of common business cases. For ELSY the project is crucial in the strategy to expand vertically the offer in markets we already lead and enter in new market segments with excellent potential.

In the third period we have successfully completed the testing and validation activities related to the prototype RECYCLE line. The process has been demonstrated using industrial equipment and the recycled rubber has been assessed to be suitable for re-use in one industrial application of great interest. We have continued the technical and commercial activities related to the REWORK line. We have executed further test sessions in collaboration with a leading tyre manufacturer and presented the technology to the main tyre manufacturers worldwide. We have issued three applications for patent at the EPO to protect the inventions generated in the project. The main results achieved are the completion of the development related to the RECYCLE line, the demonstration of the suitability of the recycled rubber for re-use in at least one industrial segment of great potential, the progress in the engagement of tyre manufacturers related to the REWORK line and the three application for patents issued at the EPO.

The REWORK and RECYCLE technologies are innovative and represent potential breakthrough in the market where there are no competitors offering similar value propositions. Both technologies have been demonstrated during the project making reference to the standards applicable in the target industries. In particular, the RECYCLE line represents the �rst industrial implementation of a process that recovers rubber from post-consumer tyres and produces clean and de-vulcanised compounds.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the periodWork performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the periodcovered by the report and main results achieved so farcovered by the report and main results achieved so far

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (includingProgress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (includingthe socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the projectthe socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the projectso far)so far)

During the project we have veri�ed the freedom-to-operate and protected the inventions created by �ling three applications for patent, one related to the REWORK, the others to the RECYCLE. The potential impacts expected from the exploitation of the REWORK line are related to savings of costs, lead-time and raw materials within tyre production. The potential impacts expected from the exploitation of the RECYCLE line derive from enabling the re-use of rubber recycled from ELT in the production of tyres and of other technical components. The societal impacts expected from the exploitation of the project are related to the increase of the eco-e�ciency of tyre production (less raw materials and energy for the same output) and to the enhancement of ELT recycling enabled by a new and more valuable circular economy route.

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Record number: Record number: 219968