The technological innovation consists in the application of microwaves to the pyrolytic process. This allows to overcome the problems of traditional pyrolysis, because with this new process there is no combustion, there is no formation of by-products to be disposed of and the quality of the products obtained is particularly high.
Everything has begun ten years ago from an experimental research of the University of Florence based on the use of microwaves in the field of end-of-life tyres. Tyrebirth supported the university experimentation and then developed the industrialization of the process born from that research.
The process is based on the principle of pyrolysis, i.e. a process of decomposition of tyres by heat treatment obtained using microwaves as an energy source.
The microwaves act directly on the molecular structure of the tyre, determining the splitting of the molecules that it contains.
Tyrebirth built the first industrial prototype in 2018 and in September 2018 began testing with end-of-life tyres of different sizes and types. Tests carried out using the prototype were the key to further develop and refine the Tyrebirth process.
The Tyrebirth microwave pyrolysis process is carried out inside a reactor consisting of two chambers with specific functions. During the process, fuel oil and gas are generated and collected with different systems, while at the end of the process we obtain the solid products, such as carbon black and steel.
A long-running experimentation has been carried out through the industrial prototype. Tyrebirth has completed the construction of the final plant which is operative in Piombino and is also used for demostration purposes for all customers interested in purchasing.
The Tyrebirth plant represents a revolution in the operational logics in the world of recycling and is therefore very interesting for public or private companies operating in this sector. Its potential, however, goes beyond the recycling industry, reaching out to many other markets, primarily that of tyre manufacturers.
