Sustainable Development Goals
Project Status:
Completed | Operating Since 2017
Organizations Involved:
Klean Industries, Klean Capital, GRI, CRM
Services:
Feasibility Studies, Due Diligence, Supply Chain Management, Carbon Management,
This case study is based on a market study conducted by Klean Industries and its subsidiary, Klean Capital, as part of a project to conduct due diligence on key players in the California concrete recycling and construction sector. This project was undertaken for a significant infrastructure fund focusing on consolidating several strategic infrastructure assets in California. A key part of the project was evaluating each potential acquisition opportunity and identifying companies that demonstrated a long-term vision, were vertically integrated, had long-term sustainability addressing various ESG components, and had a business approach that enabled the circular economy in the communities where they operate.
The KleanTeam completed technical and operational reviews of various acquisition targets in California. With its expertise in construction, mining, and resources, the infrastructure fund required that each candidate have at least one symbiotic relationship relevant to its operations. Obviously, with the KleanTeam experience, opportunities weren't hard to find in Califonia. One of the opportunities we focused on was tire recycling.
The KleanTeam reviewed Crumb Rubber Manufacturers (CRM), examining market demand and growth outlooks for the tire-derived market, including end-of-life tire generation within the domestic mining, aggregates, and construction industries. A prime use case for CRM rubber crumb was in the use of CRM manufactured crumb rubber as a feedstock for George Reed Inc (GRI) who was a top performer in private and public asphalt paving services that was fully integrated to deliver rock, sand, and other aggregate materials, including rubberized asphalt, a key ingredient in the future of tire recycling.
Rubberized asphalt is a hot-mixed asphalt pavement containing crumb rubber. The crumb rubber serves as a modifier of liquid asphalt. Rubberized asphalt from recycled tires is a high-performance circular solution that enhances road durability, reduces noise, and diverts millions of end-of-life tires from landfills.
The Challenge
The global accumulation of end-of-life tires (ELTs) presents a significant environmental challenge. Each year, over 1 billion ELTs are generated worldwide, contributing to the projection that more than 5 billion tires will be in landfills or stockpiles by 2030. In the United States alone, over 300 million tires are discarded annually, equating to nearly one tire per person. Traditional disposal methods, such as landfilling or incineration, pose environmental hazards, including fire risks and the release of harmful pollutants. Additionally, conventional asphalt pavements often suffer from durability issues, leading to frequent maintenance and increased costs. Addressing these challenges requires innovative solutions that enhance pavement performance while promoting environmental sustainability.
The Solution
Rubberized asphalt, also known as rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) or asphalt rubber, is a paving material composed of blending ground tire rubber with asphalt binder and conventional aggregate, offering benefits such as enhanced durability, reduced noise, and improved environmental sustainability.
Rubberized asphalt offers a promising solution by incorporating crumb rubber derived from recycled tires into asphalt mixtures. This approach not only repurposes waste materials but also enhances the pavement's properties. Phoenix Industries has developed specialized Asphalt Rubber Blending Units, such as the AR150M and AR250 models, designed to produce rubber-modified binders efficiently. These units enable the production of high-quality asphalt rubber suitable for various paving applications.
How is rubberized asphalt made?
Complementing this is a pelleted, rubberized binder, which serves as an alternative to terminal-blended rubber-modified binders. Formulated with PG 64-22 binder, SBS polymer, and fine-ground tire rubber powder, this enhances the performance of dense-graded mixes. Its pelleted form allows for ambient temperature storage and convenient on-site mixing, resulting in significant energy savings during production.
The Outcome
Implementing rubberized asphalt has resulted in significant improvements in pavement performance and environmental benefits. Studies have shown that rubber-modified asphalt mixtures exhibit superior resistance to fatigue cracking and plastic deformation, resulting in longer-lasting road surfaces. For instance, the State of Alabama reported a potential 20% reduction in maintenance needs when utilizing rubber-modified asphalt compared to traditional mixtures.
Additionally, the use of crumb rubber in asphalt has been linked to reduced road noise, thereby enhancing the acoustic environment in urban settings. Life cycle assessments have highlighted the environmental advantages, indicating that rubber-modified asphalt pavements produce lower greenhouse gas emissions and consume less energy compared to conventional asphalt mixtures. Moreover, incorporating crumb rubber into asphalt provides a sustainable outlet for millions of waste tires annually, reducing landfill dependency and mitigating associated environmental hazards.
By integrating recycled tire rubber into asphalt production, the industry not only addresses the challenge of tire waste but also enhances the quality and sustainability of road pavements, aligning with broader environmental and economic objectives.
Benefits of using Rubberized Asphalt:
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