Full definition
Recycled rubber is an elastomer material that is derived from end-of-life tires and industrial rubber scrap through various mechanical and chemical processes. The primary methods of recycling include shredding, granulating, and screening, which produce different product forms such as crumb rubber granulate and rubber powder. In addition, devulcanization processes are employed to break down the cross-links in rubber, making it re-vulcanizable and allowing for its incorporation into new products. The granulate typically ranges in size from 0.5 to 4 mm, while rubber powder is finer, measuring less than 0.5 mm. Reclaimed rubber can be mixed with virgin compounds at a replacement rate of 10-30%, enhancing its usability in a variety of applications.
The applications of recycled rubber are diverse and impactful, particularly in the construction and sports industries. For example, it is widely used in the formulation of sports flooring and running track surfaces that meet IAAF/World Athletics certifications. In playgrounds, recycled rubber surfaces are designed to comply with EN 1177 standards for fall height protection, ensuring safety for children. Other applications include high-density gym flooring tiles, anti-vibration mats, artificial turf infill, rubber-modified asphalt, speed bumps, and equestrian arena footing. These applications not only provide functional benefits but also significantly contribute to environmental sustainability by diverting approximately 1 billion end-of-life tires from landfills each year and reducing the consumption of virgin materials.
However, the use of recycled rubber comes with limitations. The properties of recycled rubber can be variable due to the differences in the source materials, and it may exhibit limited color options compared to virgin rubber. Additionally, there may be trace metals from tire wire that can be present in recycled rubber products, posing potential environmental and health concerns. Quality standards such as ASTM D6270 for civil engineering applications and EN 1177 for playground safety help ensure that recycled rubber products meet necessary performance criteria, but manufacturers must be vigilant about these limitations when producing and utilizing recycled rubber materials.