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, specifically the REWORK for tyre manufacturers to improve eco-efficiency and reduce costs of production, the RECYCLE for recyclers of ELT to produce cleaner, more usable forms of recycled rubber suitable to open new high-value application opportunities and increase profitability 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 definition 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.
