Ahead of this year's Recovered Carbon Black Asia 2024, we spoke with Xiaoyan Chen, General Manager at Ecostar, to get a sneak peek of what we can expect from her presentation on 'Tire recycling: technological breakthrough and application of waste tire pyrolysis' Here's what she had to say…




Q1 Your presentation at the inaugural Recovered Carbon Black Asia will cover 'Tire recycling: technological breakthrough and application of waste tire pyrolysis'  Why is it important for others in the industry to hear this message?

Ecostar aims to become a global leader in the green circular utilization of waste rubber, building a closed-loop industrial chain of "resources–products–waste–recycled resources" that truly achieves the resourceful and high-value utilization of waste tires. Compared to traditional processing methods, our technology is more energy-efficient, environmentally friendly, efficient, and sustainable. We contribute replicable solutions and models to the waste tire recycling industry.

Q2 What are the main challenges in your day-to-day work relating to sustainability in tires/recovered carbon black/tire pyrolysis?

The performance of rCB determines its market acceptance. The primary challenges we face in daily work revolve around ensuring the consistency and stability of rCB quality to meet market and application demands, optimizing production processes to continuously improve efficiency and reduce operational costs, and considering environmental benefits while promoting the sustainable application of rCB.

Q3 What are some of the biggest opportunities gaining attention within the recovered Carbon Black industry?

As a sustainable material, rCB not only helps companies reduce their carbon footprint but also plays an important role in promoting the circular economy and the efficient use of resources. With growing attention to environmental and social responsibility from both consumers and companies, the market potential for rCB is vast.

Q4 What do you think will be some of the most interesting advancements in recovered carbon black/tire pyrolysis in the near future?
  
Some leading tire manufacturers have already started using rCB in their products. In the future, as the quality and supply capacity of rCB improve, more companies will follow suit, driving its broader and higher-value applications.

Q5 What are the challenges the tire pyrolysis value chain has to overcome in the next few years?

A stable and reliable supply of waste tires is fundamental to the tire pyrolysis industry, requiring the establishment of a standardized waste tire recycling system. Additionally, quality control of the products is crucial. Ensuring the stability of the carbon black, oil, and gas produced through pyrolysis is essential for their widespread industrial application.

Q6 What collaborations in/with the value chain are you seeking?

At this conference, we hope to explore collaborations in product development, technology transfer, equipment export, co-construction of facilities, and capital cooperation, all aimed at advancing the circular utilization of waste tires.