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Agenda

Smithers is delighted to launch the very first Asia edition of Recovered Carbon Black event on 24-25 September 2024, in Qingdao, China, bringing this global, high level, strategic conference on key commercial issues for the Recovered Carbon Black and Tire Pyrolysis industry locally and globally!

All times are in Beijing time (UTC+8)
Registration
Registration for Recovered Carbon Black Asia 2024
Buffet Dinner
Registration
Welcome Address & Opening Remarks
Welcome address by organizer, co-organizer, headline sponsor and more
  • Smithers representative
  • CTRA representative 
  • CACE representative 
  • EcoStar representative
Session 1: Keynotes & market trend - regional round ups
[Keynote] A leading tire company’s roadmap to sustainability
  • Sustainability goals globally
  • Progress made & challenges faced
  • The role rcb plays
  • What does it mean for China/Asia

Youlai WU | China Sustainability Manager, Michelin
[Keynote] Tire recycling: technological breakthrough and application of waste tire pyrolysis
In this paper, we propose an innovative high-value application scheme for recycling carbon black and recycled oil from waste tires, which can transform waste tires into high value-added products through pyrolysis technology. Due to its good pore structure and small metal composition, it can be modified to prepare functional materials such as activated carbon and catalysts. However, such technologies are still in the laboratory research stage, and the most widespread and economically valuable use of waste tire pyrolysis carbon black is to prepare high-quality recycled carbon black and reuse it in tire manufacturing. The recycled oil is further refined as a chemical raw material, replacing some traditional petroleum resources and reducing carbon emissions. This paper discusses the technical advantages of this solution in detail, and demonstrates its feasibility and promotion value in industrial applications through practical cases.
 
Xiaoyan Chen | General Manager, Ecostar (Qingdao) Holding Co., Ltd
Networking tea break
Carbon Black Global Outlook: Focus on Asia
Paper focuses on current conditions and future prospects for the global carbon black industry, with a focus on Asia. Includes an overview of tire industry investment in new capacity, as well as sustainability objectives, timelines, and focus. Provides a look at carbon black conditions, supply/demand, and outlook, which leads to a discussion of the outlook for recovered carbon black.
Key bullet points:
  • Tire Industry Investment - world & Asia
  • Tire Industry Sustainability Trends
  • Carbon Black current market conditions
  • Carbon Black forecast & outlook
  • Opportunities for Recovered Carbon Black

Paul Ita | President, Notch Consulting
India market landscape and outlook: r-CB vs. v-CB
Recovered Carbon black is widely used as environment-friendly and sustainable reinforcing in Tire, Non tire Rubber and Specialty applications like plastics and coatings. So the growth is directly associated with the rising demand in these sectors. Will share some key insights into the industry size, growth & trends in India.
 
Chinmoy Dhole | Head - Technical Service, Birla Carbon, South Asia region, Birla Carbon
Cabot’s Long-Term Market View on Reclaimed Carbon Development
Investment in the tire pyrolysis industry is limited as tire pyrolysis oil is in high demand while reclaimed carbon continues to face adoption challenges due to performance, quality, consistency, and reliability. In this presentation, Cabot Corporation will provide insights to its future technology developments to overcome the challenges associated with reclaimed carbon, enabling broader industry use of reclaimed carbon to support a circular economy long-term.
 
Jian-feng Cai | Global Marketing Manager – Sustainable Solutions and Regional Marketing Manager China , Cabot Coporation
Opportunities in Asia with recovered carbon black & tyre pyrolysis oil
Chemical recycling of tires is a growing industry, both in the western and eastern hemisphere. While greenhouse gas reduction and circularity drive the western business, but less than 1% of tires are recycled chemically, Asian countries have already scaled up chemical recycling of tires by pyrolysis and devulcanisation to a double digit percentage. Analysing both western and eastern pyrolysis industry developments and history in detail, we can derive best practices for the industry. What can the west learn from the east and what can the east learn from the west? Which role plays recovered carbon black for the scale-up of the tire pyrolysis industry? What applications are of interest for tyre pyrolysis oil? Are there limits to growth for tyre pyrolysis? How can the scale-up be accelerated through collaborations? Which role do regulations and governance play?
 
Martin Von Wolfersdorff | Principal Advisor, Wolfersdorff Consulting
Networking Lunch
Session 2: Environmental regulations and standards – challenges and opportunities
Update on ASTM Committee D36 on rCB
The ASTM committee D36 on Recovered Carbon Black is working on relevant test methods and standards for rCB. During this presentation an update will be provided on the most recent developments of the committee including updates on various new standards that are currently being proposed and developed.
 
Pieter ter Haar | Director Sustainable carbonaceous materials, Circtec
Lead the way with the "dual carbon" concept and strive to be the vanguard of industry development.
--Adhere to the adoption of advanced green and intelligent manufacturing equipment to achieve the continuous industrialization and modernization of China's waste tire pyrolysis industry.
  • The development of China's waste tire comprehensive utilization industry
  • The main problems and suggestions encountered in the development process of waste tire pyrolysis enterprises in China
  • The main problems and countermeasures encountered by enterprises in the production process
  • The company's own development experience

Xiaogang Zhao | General Manager, Shandong Hesheng Environmental Protection Technology
C-level Panel: challenges of high value application of rcb
  • Case studies of flagship projects
  • Challenges of scaling up
  • Future opportunities
Panellists:       Xiaoyan Chen, General Manager at Qingdao Ecostar
                        Andy Yuan, Business Development Director at Enrestec
                        Ravi Rathi, Director at Capital Carbon
Moderated by:
Martin Von Wolfersdorff | Principal Advisor, Wolfersdorff Consulting
Networking tea break
Session 3: Technical advances and application of recovered carbon black
Effects of rCB surface modification on the structures and properties in blends with natural rubber studied by Synchrotron Radiation X-Ray Nano-CT
In view of the complexity of the spatial and chemical microstructure of pyrolysis carbon black, with the advantages of high brightness of synchrotron radiation light source, high spatial and temporal resolution, sensitive element and chemical valence state resolution, etc., using synchrotron radiation X-ray Nano-CT, scanning transmission X-ray absorption spectroscopy imaging (STXM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and other technologies, starting from the microstructure of pyrolysis carbon black, the three-dimensional morphology structure, bulk and surface elemental composition, chemical structure differences of pyrolysis carbon black aggregates are studied, and compared with native carbon black, the corresponding relationship between the change of surface activity of pyrolysis carbon black and the interaction with rubber and the microstructural factors with poor reinforcement effect are sought, so as to provide technical support for improving the quality of pyrolysis carbon black, targeted research and design, production of rubber carbon black composites with special properties, and high-value use of pyrolysis carbon black, and finally lay the foundation for achieving technological progress in the waste tire pyrolysis carbon black industry and the "3050 Sustainable Development Goals" of the tire industry.

Dr. Jionghao He, Specially-appointed Chief Expert from CleanTire R&D Centre
Dr. Liang Chen | Specially-appointed Chief Expert, Clean Tire R&D Center
Challenges in rCB finishing (milling and pelletizing/drying)
How to increase the added value of the RCB is a focus topic in Europe nowadays, Hosokawa Group already support our customer reached it.
Generally the RCB is low value if just simple cracking in a reactor, such as use in rubber runway, however when thinking mix with fresh carbon black to re-use in the tire or other high value application, the added value of finely processed RCB is greatly increases due to the partial substitution of fresh carbon black and research indicating that some characteristics of finely processed RCB are superior to fresh carbon black.
Our responsibility is to finely process RCB through environmentally friendly processes and equipment such as milling and pelletizing/drying, etc., to enhance the added value and specific performance of RCB, thereby support RCB enterprises achieve success.
 
Kevin Zhu | Head of Sales in China, Hosokawa Micron Group
End of Day One
Buffet Dinner
Chair's Opening Remarks
Session 4: Testing and study on recovered carbon black
Exploration on modification technology of recovered carbon black
In terms of quality, recovered carbon black is greatly different from conventional carbon black. For instance, its specific surface area, structure degree and surface activity are all relatively low, and it contains un-cracked rubber hydrocarbons and organic volatiles, etc. Therefore, its reinforcing performance in rubber is poor. In order to provide theoretical guidance for optimizing the waste tire pyrolysis process or modifying and upgrading the recovered carbon black, Qingdao Black Cat has conducted in-depth analysis of the properties of pyrolysis carbon black and attempted various modification and upgrading methods with Beijing University of Chemical Technology, expecting to theoretically guide the optimization of the pyrolysis device and process. This thesis mainly introduces the exploration progress of Qingdao Black Cat on the modification technology of recovered carbon black.
 
Beibei Wang | R&D Chief Engineer, Qingdao BlackCat New Materials Research Institute
Single-particle TGA – a novel tool to quantify the distribution of ash in rCB particles
Ash (silica, zinc sulfide,…) is a characteristic component of rCB. Transmission electron microscopy and other analyses show that the ash is unevenly distributed amongst the rCB particles. However, no quantitative information on the distribution of ash can be gained. We combined a tubular furnace with the femtoG device, an instrument to measure the mass of isolated rCB particles. This setup allows us to size-select particles and measure their mass at different temperatures, respectively stages of combustion. Similar to a standard thermogravimetric analysis, this allows us to determine the ash content in rCB, not only for the whole powder but also for single rCB particles of a defined size. Our analysis shows that rCB consists of two distinct fractions. A majority (by number) of the particles only contain carbon and are almost ash-free, and a minority are mixed-phase (or fused) particles that contain ash and carbon. The ratio of both fractions and the total ash content is dependent on the particle size. At small sizes (<200nm) we observed mostly pure carbon particles. With increasing size, the fraction of fused ash and carbon particles increases, and the total ash content increases as well. With that, we proved that the ash is mostly allocated at large particle sizes. Our novel analysis could be utilized to resolve the impact of different refinement treatments and to optimize the efforts to reduce the ash content by e.g. mechanical separation via air classification.
 
Dr. Jörg Wieder | Co-founder, femtoG
Research progress: Innovative new applications for rCB
rCB can be further refined to produce materials for high-tech products outside the rubber value chain. Industries such as the electronics or photovoltaic industries would derive sustainability benefits from these very high-value materials. Research conducted under Weibold's Innovation program in cooperation with Green Avengers associated with the University of Mumbai is studying innovative treatments such as chemical modification, carbon advancement, and other techniques for manufacturing such materials. Particular attention is also being given to photosensitive properties. The presenter will report on the status and findings of the research."
 
Yogesh Gaikwad | Technical Consultant Carbon Black, Weibold
Networking tea break
Session 5: Technologies and equipment: tire pyrolysis and rCB
Environmental protection pyrolysis of scrap tires and high value conversion of pyrolysis carbon black
This speech will discuss the latest progress in environmentally friendly pyrolysis technology of scrap tires, focusing on how to achieve continuous and efficient transformation of scrap tires under the premise of safety and environmental protection through innovative pyrolysis process, provide Niutech’s solutions and suggestions for the current industry puzzles, and share the relevant experience in the high value conversion and quality up-grading of pyrolysis carbon black.
 
Jessica Liu | Deputy General Manager, Niutech Environment Technology Corporation
Ecostar's Recycled Waste Tire Utilization Equipment and Solutions
Introduction to the core equipment of Ecostar Intelligent Equipment; Ecostar equipment has won a number of scientific and technological awards, patents and industry standards. Introduce the production process of Ecostar equipment and the innovative remote operation and maintenance system;Illustrate the automation and intelligent management of the production process and the ability of Ecostar Intelligent Equipment to provide comprehensive solutions.
 
ShiFeng Zhou | General Manager , Qingdao Hailang Holding Co., Ltd.
Networking lunch
Session 6: R&D and success stories on Pyrolysis and rCB
Sustainability in the rubber world: green compounding
Rubbers play a critical role in virtually all areas of modern life and are of paramount importance in maintaining the living standards of current society. Being a reliable and responsible rubber producer, ARLANXEO takes a sustainable approach in the design of synthetic rubber products, and continuously looks at the use of green and safe chemicals through the whole rubber value chain. This study presents further efforts on green compounding with sustainable ingredients incl recycle carbon black, precipitated silica from rice husk ash, lignin etc.
 
Dr. Baojia Cheng | Head of Technical Service & Development, NorthEast Asia, ARLANXEO
Tire pyrolysis is the only validated technology to enable the tire circular economy.
While recovered carbon black can partially replace virgin carbon black in some applications, the circular carbon black made from tire pyrolysis oil can fully replace ASTM grades in any application. In addition, further research on purification of recovered carbon black is underway to increase replacement rate.
Based on our experience, working as the carbon black partner at the BlackCycle project in Europe, and having already started commercialization of circular carbon blacks, we know that collaboration along the value chain – both in technology development and commercial implementation is critical for the transition to the tire circular economy.  We will share our views and technical results with the audience and are open to further discussions.
 
Celso Magri | Global Marketing and Sustainability Director Rubber, Orion Engineered Carbons GmbH
Tech research on high-value application of recovered carbon black from rubber product pyrolysis.
The pyrolysis carbon black of waste tires accounts for more than 30% of the pyrolysis products, and the carbon black consumption in the rubber tire industry is close to 90%. Due to factors such as large particle size, low structural degree, low surface activity, and high ash content, pyrolysis carbon black has become a technical challenge for high-value batch and quantitative reuse of rubber tires in the industrial chain.
1. Study the regulation mechanism of pyrolysis process. Explore the influence of pyrolysis time, temperature, pressure, catalyst and other conditions on the composition, distribution and structure of pyrolysis carbon black, study the intrinsic mechanism of pyrolysis process conditions and the performance quality of pyrolysis carbon black, and achieve quality control of pyrolysis process of pyrolysis carbon black.
2. Study the modification mechanism of pyrolysis carbon black. Explore the reinforcement mechanism of pyrolytic carbon black under factors such as large particle size, low structural degree, low surface activity, and high ash content, study the physical and chemical modification mechanism of pyrolytic carbon black, investigate the activation modification method of pyrolytic carbon black, and improve the performance and quality of pyrolytic carbon black.
3. Study the mechanism of wet mixed refining preparation. Explore the influence mechanism of formula parameters on the physicochemical properties of pyrolytic carbon black, study the wet mixing processing mechanism and method, and achieve the preparation of high-performance rubber composite materials by modifying pyrolytic carbon black.
 
Diancai Yang | General Manager, Qingdao GuoChengZhongJia High Tech Development
Networking tea break
The emergence of Recycled Carbon Blacks rCB’s-A route to Market
Within Europe, changes in government legislation and associated initiatives, manufacturing standards and consumer expectations has facilitated the need for the supply chain to review their waste management and end of product life strategies towards recycling and repurposing polymer based products.
This has led to the growth of new entrants whom are actively investing in the research and development of processes that can convert waste polymer based products, for example tyre’s and flexible packaging, into materials that are comparable to or can partially replace original materials.
The subsequent emergence of Alternative Carbon Blacks aCB’s and Recycled Carbon Blacks rCB’s manufactured by these new entrants, lack the knowledge and expertise required to overcome traditional thinking and norms to facilitate change towards new raw materials within the existing markets.
Smithers understands these target markets, the established technical requirements and standards and  customer and product needs and has developed a clear technology roadmap to support the new entrant in successfully introducing their new rCB raw material.
The presentation will outline the Technology Roadmap for these new raw materials.
 
Phil Hall | Principal Consultant, Rubber and Elastomers, Smithers
Modification of pyrolysis carbon black recovered from waste tire and its application in rubber
Countries all over the world pay great attention to the comprehensive utilization of waste tire resources. The utilization of waste tire renewable resources can alleviate the shortage of rubber raw materials to a certain extent. The pyrolysis of waste tire is the ultimate utilization of waste tire, and the proportion of carbon black in waste tire pyrolysis products reaches 35%. The effective and high value utilization of waste tire pyrolysis carbon black is related to the development of waste tire pyrolysis industry. In this paper, the waste tire pyrolysis carbon black was systematically characterized and compared with traditional industrial carbon black. On this basis, the pyrolysis carbon black was modified and its application in rubber products was explored.
 
Aihua Du | Professor, Doctoral supervisor, Qingdao University of Science & Technology
Wrap-up and end of the conference
Banquet
Dinner sponsored by EcoStar
Site Visit (Limited Seats)
Check in for site visit
Departure for Qingdao Ecostar facility
Tour at Ecostar Qingdao Facility
Departure from Qingdao Ecostar
Time to get back to event venue around 12:30pm