In a first for the cycling industry, Schwalbe is set to release a tyre made from recycled tyres.
The ‘Schwalbe Recycling System’ was first demonstrated at Eurobike last year. The tyre brand partnered with recycling technology company Pyrum Innovations to build a recycling process at dealership level.
Pyrum uses a two-step process to separate rubber, textile fibres and steel to produce rubber granules.
Schwalbe has taken deliveries of rubber granules, which it plans to use in an upcoming recycled tyre.
Schwalbe says its recycling process causes an 80 per cent reduction in the amount of carbon dioxide released in the production of a new tyre.
It is not known whether the recycling scheme extends to tyres from other manufacturers, though the process doesn’t seem to be limited to Schwalbe's rubber compound.
Schwalbe says 400,000 tyres had been recycled as of December 2022, with the new recycled tyre to be unveiled in June 2023.
Tyre recycling process
Schwalbe has partnered with Pyrum Innovations to supply recycled carbon black, a compound used in the production of tyres.
Pyrum’s two-step recycling process starts by shredding the tyre into separate rubber granules, steel and textile fibre.
The rubber granules are then heated to 700ºC in a pyrolysis oven, at which point a gas is released. This is used to power the plant with electricity, adding to the sustainability of the process.
The system produces recycled carbon black (rCB), which can be used to produce new tyres.
Schwalbe says intensive research has been required to turn rCB into an effective rubber compound for tyres, and the brand is continuing to pursue the goal of expanding its use into its existing tyre ranges.
Dealership drop-offs
Schwalbe has already begun using its trade network to find dealers to participate in supplying old tyres, so far amassing 1,600 stores in Germany where the trial scheme is taking place.
End-users will drop off old tyres with participating dealers, and Schwalbe will transport them to Pyrum for recycling.
The recycled material is then returned to Schwalbe and incorporated into new products.
