Ground rubber recycling examined

Rubber World, March, 2007

The Rubber Manufacturers Association, Asphalt Rubber Technology Services at Clemson University and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control will sponsor, "Scrap to profit," a symposium on recycled rubber in plastic and rubber products, to be held April 16-17 at the Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, SC.

"The use of ground rubber in molded and extruded rubber and plastic products is one of the largest markets for ground rubber," stated Michael Blumenthal, senior technical director of the RMA. "This is the first time anyone is having a conference in the United States specifically focused on this topic," Blumenthal added.

The "Scrap to profit" conference will include presentations on four major areas affecting this use of ground rubber. Topics to be discussed will include ground rubber as a raw material, compounding with ground rubber, existing uses of ground rubber in rubber and plastics, and how to sell ground rubber.

As a raw material, ground rubber will be examined, including what it is and how it is made; its key quality parameters; the costs of these materials versus virgin raw materials; the supply situation; and how to get started (e.g., materials, technical issues, etc.).

Participants will learn how to compound with crumb rubber in rubber and plastic products, and what are the main concerns and advantages of compounding with ground rubber.

Existing uses of ground rubber in rubber and plastics will be highlighted, including what products presently use crumb rubber successfully, and what emerging markets are there and what does the future hold for crumb rubber.

Ways to sell ground rubber will be examined, including government programs for developing the use of recycled rubber, preferential purchasing treatment for products with recycled content and special marketing outlets for products with recycled content.

"The nature of the ground rubber industry has changed dramatically over the last several years, and we are pleased to be able to offer this service to the industry," Blumenthal said. "We are also equally pleased to be working with the state of South Carolina and Clemson University, both of whom are interested in being on the leading-edge of technological change and market development," Blumenthal added.

The Rubber Manufacturers Association is the national trade association for the rubber products industry, and includes over 100 member companies. Further information on this conference and on the RMA is available from the RMA (202) 682-4800, or at www.rma.org.