Schwalbe steps up “world first” tire recycling system

Reichshof, Germany – Bicycle tire brand Schwalbe has claimed a world first with the introduction of an “innovative and holistic” system for tire recycling.

Working with the Technical University of Cologne and tire recycling company Pyrum, Ralf Schwalbe developed a process to recycle used tires of all brands, “completely without waste.” 

Until now, used bicycle tires were mainly incinerated, the raw materials were lost, climate-damaging CO2 is released, said a 13 July statement from Ralf Bohle GmbH-owned brand.

According to Schwalbe, Pyrum currently runs the only tire-pyrolysis plant in the world that produces year-round.

Used tires are shredded to provide rubber granules, textile fibres and steel, with the granulate pyrolysed at 700°C in the absence of oxygen

The generated gas meets the electricity needs of the pyrolysis plant so that it is energy self-sufficient, while oil from the process goes to BASF for use, for example, in textile fibres

Pyrolysis coke is further processed into recovered carbon black (rCB), which can be used as a reinforcing filler in rubber compounds for new tire production

Collection of tires is a key feature of the programme, with a specially developed Schwalbe recycling box available at participating specialist dealers.

To date, around 500 dealers are already taking part in the pilot tire recycling project, which is being introduced initially in Germany, said Schwalbe.