Turning End-of-Life Tires into More Resources 

At Emterra Tire Recycling (ETR), we’re expanding what’s possible for end-of-life tires. Through advanced thermal processing at our new Hawkesbury, Ontario facility, we can recover valuable materials from tire rubber and return them to productive use, helping keep resources in circulation longer. 

Using a specialized Thermal Decomposition Process, tire material is heated in an oxygen-free environment and separated into recovered carbon black, tire-derived oil, syngas, steel, and fibre. Rather than treating end-of-life tires as waste, this technology creates new resources with applications across manufacturing and industry.

Recovering More from Every Tire

Advanced tire recycling uses thermal decomposition, commonly known as pyrolysis, to break tire material down into its component resources. 

Processed tire rubber is heated in an oxygen-free environment, allowing valuable materials to be separated, recovered and prepared for reuse. The technology at ETR’s new Hawkesbury facility was specifically developed for end-of-life tires, with a focus on process efficiency, automation, emissions control, water recycling, safety and the consistency of recovered products.

Thermal processing allows multiple valuable resources to be recovered from the same end-of-life tire, extending the value of materials that would otherwise reach the end of their useful life.

  • Recovered Carbon Black

    A carbon-rich material recovered from tire rubber that can provide a circular alternative to virgin carbon black in suitable applications.

  • Tire-Derived Oil

    A recovered hydrocarbon oil with potential applications as an industrial feedstock or energy source.

  • Syngas

    A gas generated during thermal decomposition that can be recovered and used as an energy source within the process.

  • Recovered Steel

    Steel reinforcement separated from end-of-life tires and returned to established recycling markets.

  • Recovered Fibre

    Fibre separated from processed tires that can be recovered and explored for beneficial reuse.

Closing the Loop on End-of-Life Tires

ETR has been recycling tires since 2005, transforming end-of-life tires into useful materials such as crumb rubber and creating new value from resources that might otherwise go to waste. 

The addition of advanced thermal processing expands what we can recover from every tire. Together, mechanical recycling and thermal processing allow ETR to create a wider range of useful materials and keep valuable resources in circulation longer. 

It’s all part of our commitment to getting more from every tire and advancing a more circular approach to tire recycling. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is recovered carbon black?

Recovered carbon black, or rCB, is a carbon-rich material recovered from end-of-life tires through thermal processing. In suitable applications, rCB can provide an alternative to virgin carbon black used in rubber, manufacturing and other industrial products. 

Potential applications include rubber and tire manufacturing, plastics and composites, asphalt products, industrial compounds and specialty applications, depending on product specifications and customer requirements.

How is recovered carbon black made from tires?

Processed tire rubber is heated in a controlled, oxygen-free environment through a thermal decomposition process commonly known as pyrolysis. This process separates tire material into recoverable resources, including recovered carbon black, tire-derived oil and gas. 

What is tire pyrolysis?

Tire pyrolysis is a thermal recycling process that heats tire material without oxygen, causing the material to break down into recoverable products. The process provides another option for recovering valuable resources from end-of-life tires.

Where does ETR produce recovered carbon black?

ETR’s advanced tire recycling capability is located in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada. The facility has previously produced and commercially shipped recovered carbon black. 

What materials can be recovered from end-of-life tires?

ETR’s advanced thermal processing technology can recover several resources from processed tire material, including recovered carbon black, tire-derived oil, syngas, steel, fibre, and crumb rubber.