Newton Fund - Re-use of waste tyre fibres in concrete construction
Lead Participant:
TWINCON LIMITED
Abstract
The Brazilian construction industry consumes about 32,750 tonnes of steel and polymer fibres every year for
use in concrete as a reinforcement or admixture. Meanwhile, an estimated 24,836 tonnes of steel wire and
polymer fibre are recovered annually from end-of-life tyres as by-products of tyre recycling. These materials
are agglomerated with a high rubber content and cannot be reused in their current state and usually end up in
landfill. In the UK, Twincon Ltd in partnership with the University of Sheffield has developed techniques and a
unique facility that turns low value tyre wire into a high value product to replace virgin steel fibre
reinforcement in concrete. This project aims to transfer and adapt this technology to Brazil, and to undertake
research to allow similar techniques to be developed for the reuse of tyre polymer fibre. This project will allow
the adoption of more sustainable construction practices, will impact positively on the environment and on the
health and safety of workers employed in the tyre recycling industry, significantly reduce the use of virgin raw
material and create wealth and jobs for the Brazilian people.
use in concrete as a reinforcement or admixture. Meanwhile, an estimated 24,836 tonnes of steel wire and
polymer fibre are recovered annually from end-of-life tyres as by-products of tyre recycling. These materials
are agglomerated with a high rubber content and cannot be reused in their current state and usually end up in
landfill. In the UK, Twincon Ltd in partnership with the University of Sheffield has developed techniques and a
unique facility that turns low value tyre wire into a high value product to replace virgin steel fibre
reinforcement in concrete. This project aims to transfer and adapt this technology to Brazil, and to undertake
research to allow similar techniques to be developed for the reuse of tyre polymer fibre. This project will allow
the adoption of more sustainable construction practices, will impact positively on the environment and on the
health and safety of workers employed in the tyre recycling industry, significantly reduce the use of virgin raw
material and create wealth and jobs for the Brazilian people.
Lead Participant | Project Cost | Grant Offer |
|---|---|---|
| TWINCON LIMITED | £279,900 | £ 167,940 |
Participant |
||
| REGENERATIVE CELL THERAPY CONSULTING LIMITED | ||
| UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD | £119,879 | £ 119,879 |
| INNOVATE UK |
People |
ORCID iD |
| Harris Angelakopoulos (Project Manager) |