How to Choose the Right Tire Recycling Equipment

Among sustainable business ventures, tire recycling is a promising option that blends environmental consciousness with down-to-earth inputs and outputs. As an entrepreneur, it is crucial to understand the intricacies of the tire recycling process and, more importantly, to choose the right equipment.

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In this article, we’ll unravel the complexities of small business start-up costs, delve into the world of tire recycling, and explore various types of tire recycling equipment available in the market. You can make old tire rubber into a steady cash flow with the right equipment and business plan.

Small Business Start-Up Costs: A Prerequisite for Success

Every venture begins with a financial roadmap, and tire recycling is no exception. Before diving into the specifics of equipment, take the time to assess your small business start-up costs. Consider expenses such as permits, licenses, location, insurance, marketing, and operational necessities like transportation and labor. A start-up budget lays the groundwork for a profitable tire recycling business. The main start-up cost will be the machinery required to break down full tires into bite sized pieces or even rubber powder.

Why Tire Recycling?

Before exploring specific machinery options, it’s useful to delve into the more broad question of why. Why the rubber industry? Why recycling?

Discarded tires pose significant environmental threats, from feeding dangerous fires to creating breeding grounds for pests. Tire recycling not only stops these issues but also transforms used tires into valuable raw materials for various industries.

Some cunning entrepreneurs might think it wise to begin sourcing and stockpiling end of life tires before investing in equipment to ensure immediate returns. However, the risks of storing large piles of unprocessed tires makes this a potentially hazardous way to start. It’s best to invest in tire recycling equipment upfront.

What equipment will you need?

1. Shredders: The Heart of Tire Recycling

Tire shredders play a pivotal role in the initial stages of tire recycling, breaking down whole tires into manageable pieces. Shredders usually rely on gravity to assist in the process. Thus, tires need to be lifted by a mechanical arm or conveyor belt to the right height. High-quality shredders are versatile, accommodating various tire sizes and types, such as off-road tires or tractor tires. Before purchasing a shredder, consider its processing capacity, durability, and maintenance requirements. These characteristics directly influence how much you can produce per day.

2. Granulators: Refining the Output

Granulators pick up the shredded tires and refine the rough pieces into uniform bits called granules. These granules are the foundation for creating a range of products, from rubberized asphalt to molded rubber goods. Look for granulators that offer precision and consistency in the shredding process. How pure your granules are directly determines how much they are worth in the market.

3. Crumb Rubber Systems: From Marbles to Sand

Crumb rubber machines take granules a step further, producing high-quality crumb rubber or rubber powder. This versatile material serves as a raw ingredient for countless marketable products, including athletic surfaces, construction materials, and high-quality asphalt.

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4. Pyrolysis Equipment: Transforming Tires into Oil and Gas

Pyrolysis is an innovative approach that involves heating tires in the absence of oxygen to produce oil, gas, and carbon black. This method offers an alternative route for tire recycling, generating valuable resources for various industrial applications. This equipment can be costly, but the outputs are very profitable. It’s impressive how junky tires can seemingly turn to gold with the right system in place.

5. Profitable Add-Ons: A Splash of Color

Add-ons to a recycling line can elevate the versatility and marketability of the end products. One notable enhancement is the incorporation of a colorizing machine, which allows tire recyclers to produce vibrant and aesthetically appealing rubber materials. This technology opens opportunities for creative applications in playground designs as well as meeting specific market demands for specific colors in architecture.

Mold machines are also valuable add-ons, enabling tire recyclers to shape rubber materials into various forms and sizes. For example, you could produce plugs, toys, tiles, and mats. By integrating these add-ons into a tire recycling line, businesses can diversify their product offerings and meet niche market demands.

Finding the Right Fit

As you navigate the tire recycling machinery maze, remember that the success of your venture hinges on choosing the right equipment for your target output. Assess your business’s specific selling points. In general, recyclers earn more if they are high quality. Consider factors like processing capacity and technological advancements.

Tire recycling equipment manufacturers like Eco Green offer tire-specific equipment, while others offer general processors. Some machines have a more significant environmental impact themselves, negating the good they are doing, while others are more efficient. Like any big purchase, the best advice is to explore a range of equipment options. By making informed decisions, you can get the recycling line running effectively and reliably.

What are the most viable markets in the local geographic area? Which markets can be developed quickly? (Typically, it is tire-derived fuel and civil engineering). Does the local/state/federal government have a grant program for market development? A critical element in examining potential markets is determining the obstacles to these markets? Below is a quick view of possible obstacles (by market) for consideration.

Obstacles to Tire Derived Fuel

Fuel Types/Supply
What other supplemental fuels are currently used in the target market? What type of fuels is the target industry currently using? If pulverized coal is the dominant fuel then TDF may not be a good fit. How many tires are available in the local market area? For example in the case of TDF, the target client may require one to three million scrap tires per year. Will the proposed business be capable of providing this amount of tires to the target client?

Acceptance of TDF
Who will be the sole responsible party for convincing management (end user) to begin using TDF? If so, how much is the target client paying for their main fuel supply? TDF will always have to be lower. Is the facility being paid to take any materials for fuel? If so, TDF typically cannot compete. Will the target client have to make substantial modifications to their existing operations to incorporate TDF? If so, who will pay for this modification (industry, government subsidy)? The acceptance of TDF can be a function of the feeding/monitoring system required. Most facilities do not have capital expenses calculated into their budget. Waiting for this expense to be budgeted can take two years. How long will it take for you and the target industry to obtain permits?

Opposition to TDF
Will opposition come from public concerns or competition? Is the facility in a nonattainment area for any regulated air pollutants? If so, what are the main emission criteria considerations? Compare those to the benefits of TDF, which has been found to lower nitrogen oxides.

Obstacles to Rubber Modified Asphalt
Is there a mix of roadway pavements in target market area (construction material, road surface material/style)? Have you determined the receptivity of the local department of transportation, public works departments and contractors for utilizing alternative pavements? The history of alternative pavements in the target market, the region and state will be a critical issue. The time lag between the initial contact with a potential user and sale of a pavement product could be as long as three to four years.

What about the supply of quality ground rubber? Can you provide this material? What other types of modifiers are the local roadway contractors using? What about the cost competitiveness of ground rubber versus other modifiers? Remember, quality and consistency of the ground rubber will be of paramount importance.

Obstacles to Civil Engineering Applications
Check with local regulations to determine the classification of a processed tire. Is it considered a solid waste or a beneficial use commodity? Do the present rules make it conducive for a smooth entry into the market? Have you determined the receptivity of the local departments of solid waste, water quality and health to the proposed civil engineering applications? What about state agencies? Have these applications been tested in the local target market area? If used previously, what were the results?

Standard Practice for the Use of Scrap Tires in Civil Engineering Applications:
This American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) publication provides guidance for testing the physical properties and data for assessment of the leachate generation potential of processed or whole scrap tires in lieu of conventional civil engineering materials, such as stone, gravel, soil, sand or other fill materials. In addition, typical construction practices are outlined. This ASTM document (D-6270-98) is available from the Rubber Manufacturers Association please see https://www.ustires.org/

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