Reference flow in the MFA for which is suitable the technology
Waste tyres (160103) and unvulcanized & vulcanized rubber.
Incoming input
Rubber crumb, bitumen
Outgoing output
Chemically stabilized rubber bitumen
Technology description
Rubber bitumen is a binder material used for asphalt mixture production and road construction. Rubber crumbs are drawn from waste scrap tyres. According to the related ASTM-D 6114 standard, the minimum rubber content of the product should be 15%. Hence, waste tyres can be utilized without any further processing.
Organizative processes to support closing the loops
Policy makers should regulate the obligatory amount of crumb rubber in bitumen.
Practitioners opinion
There are environmental concers, e.g. emissions. Hungary has a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters so there is big temperature fluctuations. The quality and durability of the asphalt depends on the weather. After the removal, the treatment is still a question.
Possible limiting factors
One of the most important requirements for rubber bitumen production process is the constant quality of crumb rubber. But the company - where the waste tyres are produced - conceal the quality for business reasons. Other limiting factors are the high initial cost of rubber bitumen producing unit, environmental concerns - emissions -, modification necessity of hot mix asphalt plant, and asphalt compaction difficulties. And what can we do if the rubber bitumen become waste? Which treatment procedure can we use?
The longer durability is still not proved yet after appr. 10 years more data will be available. If it is really much more durable a social aspect comes into the picture: what will be with the workers involved in road repairing activities without the need to repair roads?
PP’s opinion of the technology
No data available.
Concept and conclusions how the technology can affect the CE effect
Rubber bitumen production by blending of bitumen with crumb rubber from waste tyres is not a waste treating method, but a possible solution for improving the durability of asphalt pavement compared to conventional bitumen roads. The limiting factor is the quality of crumb rubber and the lack of government's support (there is not required amount which we must take into the bitumen).
Is the technology a BAT?
Yes
Charts, photo, diagrams
References
https://molgroup.info/hu/sustainability/environment/product-devlopment/chemically-stabilized-rubber-bitumen
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/272816103_MOL_Rubber_bitumen_-_Part_1
