ADVANCING SUSTAINABLE CONSTRUCTION WITH FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE FROM RECYCLED TIRE FIBER

Sustainable Development Goals

Organizations Involved:
University of British Columbia, Atlantis Holdings, Liberty Tire Recycling, Tire Stewardship British Columbia, Lafarge/Holcim, BASF, Klean Industries, CECEP
Services:
Feasibility Study, Due Diligence, Carbon Management 

In August 2017, Klean Industries engaged with Atlantis Holdings, the University of British Columbia, Liberty Tire Recycling (Western Rubber Products), Tire Stewardship British Columbia, and CECEP to undertake a Detailed Feasibility Study on the intellectual property and opportunity for Atlantic Holdings' technology and product applications. Various meetings were held in China, Taiwan, the United States, and the United Kingdom regarding implementing this new technology, as described in this case study below.

The Challenge:

The construction sector is under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices while ensuring cost-effectiveness and structural integrity. A promising innovation in this area is using fiber-reinforced concrete incorporating fibers reclaimed from end-of-life tires. This method addresses several challenges in the concrete industry and provides significant economic and environmental benefits. The manufacturing of concrete and cement is resource-intensive and comes with considerable financial and environmental costs:

  • High Costs: Traditional concrete reinforcement materials, such as virgin synthetic fibers, steel, and glass, contribute to increasing production expenses.
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: The cement industry is responsible for nearly 8% of global CO₂ emissions, primarily due to the energy-intensive production and transportation of raw materials.
  • Durability and Longevity: Conventional concrete structures are susceptible to cracking and shrinkage, which reduces their lifespan and increases maintenance costs.
  • Waste Management Issues: Millions of used tires are discarded yearly, creating environmental hazards and contributing to landfill overflow.

The Solution: 

UBC engineers have developed a more resilient type of concrete using recycled tires that could be used for concrete structures like buildings, roads, dams, and bridges while reducing landfill waste. A new seismic-resistant, fiber-reinforced concrete developed at the University of British Columbia will see its first real-life application this fall as part of the seismic retrofit of a Vancouver elementary school.

Fiber-reinforced concrete with recycled tire fibers research has shown that tire-derived fibers can be successfully integrated into various concrete applications, offering multiple advantages:

  • Crack and Shrinkage Control: Adding recycled tire fibers significantly enhances crack resistance, reducing long-term repair costs.
  • Hybridized Reinforcement Potential: The fibers can serve as secondary reinforcement, complementing traditional materials in concrete applications.

Economic and Environmental Benefits:

  • Lower Costs: Concrete manufacturers can reduce their raw material expenses by using recycled fiber instead of virgin materials.
  • Enhanced Durability: More durable concrete structures—such as roads and bridges—require less maintenance and can reduce the need for replacements over time.
  • Waste Reduction: Diverting used tires from landfills and converting them into valuable construction materials helps address a critical waste management issue.
  • Energy Efficiency: The energy required to recycle tire-derived fibers is approximately one-fifth that of producing virgin polymer fibers.

The Outcome:

Performance benefits in concrete applications for fiber-reinforced concrete derived from recycled tires have demonstrated performance comparable to or superior to conventional fiber materials. 

Key enhancements include:

  • Reduced Permeability: Lower water permeability minimizes bleeding and increases durability.
  • Impact and Abrasion Resistance: Improved resilience against physical wear and extreme conditions.
  • Pumpability and Workability: Enhanced mix cohesion facilitates long-distance pumping applications.
  • Fire and Freeze-Thaw Resistance: It protects against spalling in high-temperature conditions and improves performance in cold climates.
  • Market Potential and Adoption Challenges
  • Both Klean Industries and Atlantis Holdings have engaged with key stakeholders in North America and China, indicating strong interest in further research and commercialization of recycled tire fiber technology. However, the adoption of this technology in the construction sector remains slow due to:
  • Industry Conservatism: Construction and engineering professionals often prefer established technologies.
  • Performance Verification Needs: While initial tests are promising, further studies are needed to validate long-term performance and cost benefits.
  • Competitive Risks: Challenges in protecting its intellectual property and preventing competitors from replicating its technology.

Fiber-reinforced concrete that uses recycled tire fibers presents a transformative opportunity in the construction sector. By tackling key sustainability challenges while offering economic and structural advantages, this innovative approach has the potential to become a mainstream building material. Continued development and market integration of this technology will be critical in shaping the future of sustainable construction. The prospects and next steps for Atlantis Holdings, the parent company of Atlantis Fiber, include:

  • Further Research & Development: Expanding studies to refine material properties and optimize the processing of fibers.
  • Market Validation: Conducting cost-benefit analyses to strengthen the economic argument for adopting recycled fibers.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Collaborating with construction firms, regulatory bodies, and tire recyclers to expand production and facilitate adoption.

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This project addresses the SDGs by considering the following goals and associated targets. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation (Goal 9), Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable (Goal 11), Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns (Goal 12), and Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (Goal 13).