Rubber Product Enhanced Recovery Technology (RuPERT) by water jet cutting and microwave de-vulcanisation.

The RuPERT project is developing a commercially significant recovery and recycling system for end-of-life car tyres. Supported by the TSB High Value Manufacturing scheme, the RuPERT team is developing an integrated and innovative technique for maximising material recovery and recycling of car tyres. These are a major, resource-rich global waste stream. Energy efficient Ultra High Pressure Water jet cutting has been used to separate the tyres into constituent parts (steel, rubber & fibres). The rubber can be directly re-used or may be subjected to further disassembly using microwave heating, recovering different, further enhanced, high value materials (pyrolytic carbon char, oil & gas). Significant re-use opportunities for the solid products have been identified and trials have been carried out to validate these uses. This innovative process is expected to use significantly less energy compared to conventional end-of-life tyre processes, whilst providing a commercially attractive opportunity for full tyre recycling alongside optimum re-use of output materials. Significant benefits being efficient and sustainable resource usage coupled with reduced demand for virgin feedstock.