Concepts for reclaim of rubber waste in Europe

Recycling of rubber items, mainly tyres, is a widely discussed sensitive su bject in Europe, particularly in Germany. Whereas there are reliable data a vailable on rubber production and consumption and comparatively good inform ation on the location of used tyres. very little is known of the fate of ot her rubber items. Incineration and landfill are still the major methods for disposal of old tyres. Since neither are environmentally suitable, better methods must be found for recycling and reclamation of rubber waste to make use of such a precious resource. Amongst the numerous proposals there are some that follow a technologically advanced route. Existing and new approac hes for reclaim of rubber waste in a technologically advanced area such as Western Europe are discussed. PRCPA/1497 (C) 1998 The Institute of Material s.