Rubber is a material that is extracted from the latex of some plants or that is made by chemistry. It is mostly used to make wheels, but also other things like hoses, shoes, gaskets, insulation, etc. Rubber is very strong and flexible, but also very dirty if not recycled well.
At Ferroblok we dedicate ourselves to the treatment of rubber waste, to give it another use and prevent it from remaining in landfills, where it can last for more than 500 years and cause problems for the environment.
PROCESSES
We have different ways of treating rubber, which are:
- Mechanical processes: we cut or crush the rubber to make pieces or small balls that are used to fill or to make new things.
- Cryogenic processes: we freeze the rubber with liquid nitrogen and break it with blows. This way we get smaller and cleaner pieces than with mechanical processes.
- Thermo-mechanical processes: we heat and squeeze the rubber to change its shape and mix it with other materials. These processes can include devulcanization, which is removing the chemical bonds that make rubber tough.
- Chemical processes: we use organic or inorganic substances to change the rubber and extract products such as oils, gases, monomers or polymers.
- Thermal processes: we put the rubber at a high temperature so that it melts or burns. These processes produce products similar to chemical processes, but with more energy.
- Biotechnological processes: we use bugs or enzymes to eat the rubber and remove products that can decompose or burn.
- Microwave or ultrasonic processes: we give electromagnetic radiation or sound to the rubber to break its molecules and recycle it better.
PRODUCTS
The products we get from rubber treatment can be used for many things in the industry, such as:
- Carpets, rugs, tiles and sports or children’s floors.
- Insulating for heat, sound and electricity.
- Roofs, roofs and walls that do not let water through.
- Glues, mastics and sealants.
- Level crossings, speed bumps and traffic signals.
- Materials mixed with plastic, metal or wood.
- Different fuels or chemicals.
For this reason, treatment of rubber waste is an important and good job, which helps to take care of the environment and make better use of resources.
