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 

Klean Industries has been exploring the transformation of low-value products derived from end-of-life tires into high-performance construction materials by integrating reclaimed tire fibers into concrete. This offers enhanced strength, crack resistance, and sustainability.

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 to discuss the implementation of this new technology, as described in the 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 the use of fiber-reinforced concrete incorporating fibers reclaimed from end-of-life tires. This method addresses several challenges in the concrete industry, providing 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, which can be used in concrete structures such as 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 issue in waste management.
  • 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 the following:

  • 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. The 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 the following:

  • 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.

Build Stronger, Smarter, Greener with Recycled Tire Fibers

By integrating reclaimed tire-derived fiber into concrete, Klean Industries is transforming the way infrastructure is built—delivering durability, sustainability, and circular innovation to the construction sector.

Benefits of Tire Fiber Reinforced Concrete:

✅ Improved flexural strength and crack resistance
✅ Diverts waste tires from landfills
✅ Compatible with traditional mix designs
✅ Reducing the environmental impact of infrastructure

Contact Klean Industries to source recycled fiber additives, collaborate on eco-concrete projects, or explore circular solutions for infrastructure development >> GO.

This project addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by considering the goals and associated targets illustrated by the WBCSD’s Tyre Industry Project (TIP). TIP offers a framework for action that outlines impactful pathways for the tyre sector to contribute to the ambitions of the SDGs. To learn more about how Klean's approach, solutions, and technologies contribute to advancing the SDGs, please review the report "Sustainability Driven: Accelerating Impact with the Tyre Sector SDG Roadmap." See: https://www.wbcsd.org/Sector-Projects/Tire-Industry-Project/End-of-Life-Tires-ELTs