Project Overview

Recycling of Waste Tyres in Trinidad and Tobago: Operationalization of a Pilot Plant for Rubber Crumb Production; Conduct of Technical and Market Related Investigative Work Pertinent to The Manufacture of Rubber Crumb and Other Downstream Products; and Preparation of a Business Case for Local Production of Rubber Crumb and Associated Downstream Products

Background & Rationale

Rubber Crumb Origins

This innovative initiative originated from discussions between Mrs. Eka Rudder-Fairman, CARIRI’s Petroleum and Sustainable Energy Services (PSES) Programme Leader, and the Basel Convention Regional Centre – Caribbean (BCRC-Caribbean). Identifying the need for a comprehensive approach to reusing and disposing of used rubber tires in the Caribbean, BCRC-Caribbean had envisioned the use of the rubber crumbs in civil engineering applications; with one main application being the inclusion of rubber crumbs in asphalt mixes.

Subsequently, CARIRI renewed its MOU with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) of South Africa, leveraging their shared membership in the World Association of Industrial and Technological Research Organisations (WAITRO).

Engaging consultants from CSIR, a Pre-feasibility Study was initiated in September 2018 for establishing rubber crumb and rubber asphalt manufacturing facilities in Trinidad. The Final Report, completed in June 2019, showcased the potential viability of a rubber granulation facility, recommending further developmental work. This led to the establishment of a Small-Scale Pilot Facility, procured from China and situated at the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) Campus, San Fernando. The commissioned plant can produce rubber crumb and rubber powder, with numerous trial runs conducted.

The project is a pivotal element in CARIRI’s commitment to fostering Research, Development, and Innovation (RDI) activities. It plays a central role in building a diversified economic base through technology and knowledge transfer, business expansion, new business creation, and contributing to employment, income generation, and foreign exchange earnings.

Rubber crumb, also referred to as ground rubber and rubber granules is defined as “rubber that has been reduced to a particle size of 3/8 inch or less”. Rubber asphalt, also referred to as asphalt rubber and rubberized asphalt is a blend of rubber crumb and asphalt. Its use is primarily as a road paving material in a number of countries, which is reputed to provide superior performance to other road paving materials.

The process of making rubber crumb involves shredding the tyres and removing the steel and polyester fragments; with the remaining rubber chips being further reduced to crumb-like particles. These particles are then used in a number of applications, one of the most common being paving products.

The rationale for the project initially stemmed from the following:

a) The adverse environmental and health impacts, as reflected in the existing serious environmental and health hazards posed by the indiscriminate dumping/ disposal of waste tyres.

With limited tyre disposal or recycling options available, a sizeable number of tyres are improperly disposed of, mainly dumped at the side of the road or in water courses, contributing to flooding via blockage of the water courses and the proliferation of vermin habitation and, especially, vector-borne diseases when the tyres collect water and then become the perfect breeding ground for the aedes aegypti mosquito – the preferred host for the dengue, chikungunya and zika viruses.

In addition, land filling of the whole or shredded tyres do not adequately address the issue of managing used tyres and poses major economic and sustainability challenges to the Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL), as the tyres are flammable and, when stored together in large volumes, can create a fire hazard. Once ignited, the burning tyres are difficult to extinguish and can give rise to significant and costly environmental, social and economic consequences.

Of particular significance is the fact that the situation of inadequate disposal of scrap tyres is potentially exacerbated by the annual increase in the number of vehicles on the roads through importation and concomitant increase in the import of tyres to be used as replacement for scrap tyres.

b) The potentially viable business opportunity represented by tyre recycling

From an economic perspective, tyre recycling represents a potentially viable business opportunity given the range of products which could be manufactured from waste rubber. In addition to rubber asphalt, which is a tested road paving material, scrap tyre recycling applications span waterproofing solutions, membrane liners, tiles, fuel for cement kilns, feedstock for making carbon black and artificial reefs in marine environments.

It is important to note that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is cognizant of the need to address the issue of improper disposal of tyres and the promotion of recycling opportunities.

c) Existence of a good raw material supply base, viz. waste tyres and asphalt

With asphalt and scrap tyres available in abundant quantities in Trinidad and Tobago, there is the possibility that production of rubber crumb and rubber asphalt could provide meaningful employment and income generation opportunities, and contribute substantially to sustainable socio-economic development; providing a feasible end-of-life disposal method for scrap tyres while improving the physical properties of the rubber asphalt mixture.

In light of the findings, CARIRI focused attention on pursuing the establishment of a small-scale granulation facility, with de-wiring machine, for the undertaking of developmental/investigative work related to asphalt mix designs and testing, as well as the conduct of technical and market research for possible manufacture of select downstream/value added rubber crumb-based products.

Project Partners

This Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) funded project is a collaboration among the Ministry of Planning and Development, CARIRI, the University of Trinidad and Tobago (UTT) and the University of the West Indies (UWI).

Objectives

The project objectives are as follows:

  • To establish and operationalize the rubber crumb plant and continue the investigative/developmental work pertinent to the manufacture of rubber crumb and downstream rubber crumb-based products.
  • To undertake market research to identify local and export market potential for rubber crumb and downstream rubber crumb-based products, inclusive of associated production technologies in respect of the latter.

Goals

The project goals are as follows:

  • Demonstration of the technical and financial viability of:
    • Incorporation of rubber crumb into asphalt mix for road paving purposes.
    • Production of rubber crumb and downstream rubber crumb-based products for both local and export markets.
    • Demonstration of the potential contribution of recycling to sustainable development
  •  Establishment of the parameters for production scale-up of rubber crumb.

Benefits

Benefits which could potentially accrue to the national economy from waste tyre recycling include:

  • Mitigation of the adverse environmental and health impacts occasioned by the indiscriminate disposal of waste tyres; thereby contributing to environmental preservation and decreased risk of vermin and vector borne diseases.
  • Adoption of recycling as an option for end-of-life management of waste tyres.
  • Improved durability of roads paved with rubber asphalt, viz. increased resistance to cracking, reduced temperature susceptibility, improved oxidation and aging resistance, as well as improved resistance to permanent deformation; whereby less maintenance would be required, resulting in cost savings.
  • Expansion of the local production/industrial base via the exploitation of value-added manufacturing activity.
  • New business creation, employment and income generation, and foreign exchange earnings via export of rubber crumb and downstream products.
  • Contribution to economic diversification and sustainable development.

Downstream / Value-Added Rubber Crumb-Based Products

Rubber crumb (granules) can be used for a range of applications and products including:

  • Bricks and tiles
  • Railway structures
  • Modified concrete
  • Artificial turf
  • Athletics tracks
  • Flooring products
  • Playground surfaces
  • Speed bumps
  • Extruded products
  • Road asphalt

Outcomes to Date

A small-scale rubber crumb plant was procured from China and has been established at UTT Campus, San Fernando. The plant has been commissioned and is capable of producing both rubber crumb and rubber powder. A number of trial runs have been conducted.

Developmental work has been undertaken by UWI Faculty of Engineering which has resulted in the design of asphalt mixes, incorporating rubber crumb, for road paving purposes.

The Plant was officially launched on January 24th 2024 by CARIRI’s line Minister, the Honourable Pennelope Beckles-Robinson, Minister of Planning and Development, and other key stakeholders. Based on discussions with the Tunapuna-Piarco Regional Corporation (TPRC), Bharath Street, Tunapuna was identified to be used as a test paving strip. Part of the road was paved with standard bitumen material and another part with rubber asphalt. A private paving contractor was engaged to undertake the paving exercise. CARIRI’s Industrial Materials Unit - Civil Team sampled from both mixes (bulk samples) during the paving of the test strips. The CARIRI Team will be conducting both visual inspections every quarter and core sampling within six (6) months and twelve (12) months of the paving. 

Market research is underway on the production of downstream, value-added rubber crumb-based products which include floor tiles and mats.

Recognition

  • CARIRI is a finalist in the 2024 AMCHAM HSE awards in the Innovation category for this project.
  • CARIRI is also a finalist in the 2024 Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce’s Champions of Business awards under the Innovation category for the Rubber Crumb project.