Recovered Carbon Black (rCB), produced via pyrolysis of end-of-life tires, is a powerful tool for achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), notably SDG 12 on responsible production and consumption and SDG 13 on climate action. This circular solution drastically cuts waste, curbs greenhouse gas emissions, and supports sustainable industrial innovation across rubber, plastic, and materials sectors.

Pyrolysis is an effective method for extracting carbon black from waste tires and rubber. The resulting recovered carbon black (rCB) closely resembles virgin carbon black. It can serve as a filler and reinforcing agent in materials such as rubber and plastics. Utilizing rCB reduces production costs and waste, supporting the principles of a circular economy. Let’s see how it aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Knowing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 global goals established by the United Nations in 2015. These goals aim to address urgent challenges, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, and the pursuit of peace and justice, by 2030. The SDGs strive to foster a fair and sustainable world, ensuring everyone can lead prosperous and peaceful lives while protecting the planet. They are a universal call to action, applicable to all nations and communities.

How Tire Pyrolysis Carbon Black Advances the SDGs

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• Reduce Resource Consumption: Tire pyrolysis reclaims carbon black from waste tires, cutting down on the need for virgin fossil fuel-based resources. Traditional carbon black production consumes around 1.5 tons of fossil fuel and large amounts of water per ton. By recycling carbon black, pyrolysis conserves raw materials and reduces water usage.
• Lower Dependency on Virgin Materials: Instead of extracting fresh resources, this method uses existing materials (waste tires) as a carbon black source. This approach aligns with the principles of the circular economy, encouraging sustainable production cycles.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• Reduce CO₂ Emissions: Traditional carbon black manufacturing releases 2.5–3.0 tons of CO₂ per ton of product, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. The pyrolysis plant method primarily utilizes cleaner, combustible gas energy, significantly reducing new emissions associated with the use of fossil fuels.
• Mitigate Negative Environmental Impact of Waste Tires: Globally, over 4 billion waste tires are landfilled, with around 1.8 billion more added each year. Using tire pyrolysis to recover carbon black reduces the accumulation of waste tires in landfills and incineration.