materials

Review
Devulcanization Technologies for Recycling of
Tire-Derived Rubber: A Review
Erich Markl and Maximilian Lackner *
University of Applied Sciences FH Technikum Wien, A-1200 Vienna, Austria; [email protected]
* Correspondence: [email protected]




Received: 20 January 2020; Accepted: 2 March 2020; Published: 10 March 2020


Abstract: In general, composite materials are difficult to recycle. Tires belong to this class of materials.
On top, one of their main constitutents, vulcanized rubber, is as elastomer, which cannot be remolten
and hence is particularly challenging to put to a new use. Today, the main end-of-life routes of tires and
other rubber products are landfilling, incineration in e.g., cement plants, and grinding to a fine powder,
generating huge quantities and indicating a lack of sustainable recycling of this valuable material.
True feedstock recycling is not feasible for complex mixtures such as tires, but devulcanization
can be done to reactivate the cross-linked polymer for material recycling in novel rubber products.
Devulcanization, i.e., the breaking up of sulfur bonds by chemical, thermophysical, or biological
means, is a promising route that has been investigated for more than 50 years. This review article
presents an update on the state-of-the art in rubber devulcanization. The article addresses established
devulcanization technologies and novel processes described in the scientific and patent literatures.
On the one hand, tires have become high-tech products, where the simultaneous improvement of
wet traction, rolling resistance, and abrasion resistance (the so-called “magic triangle”) is hard to
achieve. On the other hand, recycling and sustainable end-of-life uses are becoming more and more
important. It is expected that the public discussion of environmental impacts of thermoplastics
will soon spill over to thermosets and elastomers. Therefore, the industry needs to develop and
market solutions proactively. Every year, approximately 40 million tons of tires are discarded.
Through the devulcanization of end-of-life tires (ELT), it is possible to produce new raw materials
with good mechanical properties and a superior environmental footprint over virgin products.
The devulcanization process has become an interesting technology that is able to support the circular
economy concept.

Keywords: rubber devulcanization; sustainability; recycling; twin screw extruder; feedstock recycling;
magic triangle; elastomer

1. Introduction
With increasing global populations and welfare, consumption has been surging.
Polymers—thermoplastics, thermosets, and elastomers—have shown significant growth over more
than six decades from the 1950s onwards, with thermoplastics being by far the largest group. In 2018,
the production volume has approached 350 million tons [1]. The steady, historic growth rate of 6%
per year is expected to flatten considerably in the coming years due to a pressure toward recycling
plastics materials. Plastics Europe and other associations have shifted their focus of communication
from job and value creation of the industry toward recycling and littering prevention; the circular
economy, sustainability, microplastics pollution, and prevention have become common concerns,
which the industry is starting to address seriously. Despite the huge efforts put into the recycling
of thermoplastics, the achievements have been rather disappointing, apart from selected successful
recycling schemes such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) with bottles of carbonated soft drinks.

Materials 2020, 13, 1246; doi:10.3390/ma13051246 www.mdpi.com/journal/materials

Materials 2020, 13, 1246 2 of 16

“Thermal recycling” sounds nice; however, it should only be considered as the last step of a cascaded
use, since the incineration to recapture energy is adding little value. Composite materials such as GFRP
and CFRP (glass fiber-reinforced plastics and carbon fiber-reinforced plastics) make recycling extremely
difficult as well as the variety of applications of plastics and various contaminations such as foodstuffs.
PET bottles can be collected and recycled efficiently and effectively, because carbonated soft drinks and
bottled water are put almost exclusively into PET containers. Packaging film, on the other hand, is often
a multilayer material that is used particularly for perishable food, where recycling becomes virtually
impossible. The low value of plastics, compared to other materials, makes recycling challenging,
too. Plastics Europe, in one of their recent reports, claims that within the EU28 (Belgium, Bulgaria,
Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Croatia, Italy, Cyprus,
Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania,
Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom), Norway, and Switzerland, in 2016, 31.1% of
the 27.1 million tons of post-consumer waste collected plastics were recycled, of which 63% were inside
the EU, and another 41.6% were sent to energy recovery, with 27.3% remaining for landfilling (the
landfilling ban in the EU came into force in 1999) [2]. These numbers are misleading, because the
total demand was in excess of 50 million tons, and the absolute recycling rates, although they are
increasing from year to year driven by landfill restrictions for organic materials, are disappointingly
low. Recycled thermoplastics go different routes. Production scrap is recycled most easily; typically,
10%–15% of own material (e.g., sprues in injection molding) can be shredded and added without
quality issues. Post-consumer recycled plastics can go into products of lower mechanical properties.
Prices of recycled polyolefins, due to consumers’ demand for “green” products, have increased sharply
in the last years. Another promising route are bioplastics, which can either be based on renewable
raw materials and/or be biodegradable. Currently, their market share is on the order of 1%–2% of
global plastics consumption. For polymers (thermoplastics), there are typically two recycling methods:
mechanical and thermal (the latter being incineration for energy recovery). Garforth et al. have defined
feedstock recycling as a process that "aims to convert waste polymer into original monomers or other
valuable chemicals" [3]. Synonyms for feedstock recycling are chemical recycling or tertiary recycling.
According to Aguado et al. [4], one can distinguish between three main approaches in feedstock
recycling: depolymerization, partial oxidation, and cracking (thermal, catalytic, and hydrocracking).
Kaminsky at al. have studied the feedstock recycling of synthetic and natural rubber by pyrolysis
in a fluidized bed [5]. The main issue was that the original monomers are hard to obtain and that
rather a mix of different molecules results. Some authors even understand the production of low-value
products such as carbon black as feedstock recycling.
In the case of tires, which are a complex product made from completely different raw materials
such as steel, cord, natural and synthetic rubber, additives, etc., full feedstock recycling will not be
feasible, i.e., obtaining the original constituents or monomers.
“Feedstock recycling” and “devulcanization” are two terms that are rather not to be used
interchangeably, since the ambition is different. The expressions “depolymerization” or “molecular
rearrangement” hit the meaning of devulcanization better.
True feedstock recycling can be considered the “holy grail” of plastics recycling in that
the monomers are obtained from collected scrap, and then, they are captured and reused.
However, this route has not yet been developed sufficiently, and many approaches are still at
a low technology readiness level. Figure 1 shows the extent of feedstock recycling for thermoplastics
packaging materials (more recent data were not given in the 2018 report).
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 3 of 16
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 3 of 16

Figure1.1.Feedstock
Figure Feedstockrecycling
recycling of
of thermoplastics packaging is
thermoplastics packaging isstill
stillininits
itsinfancy.
infancy.Reproduced
Reproduced with
with
permission from [1]. permission from [1].

Another project
Another project in in this
this direction
direction is is the
the Austrian
Austrian mineral
mineral oil oil company
company OMV’s OMV’s ReOil
ReOil project,
project,
where 100 kg/h of plastics waste can be converted into a type
where 100 kg/h of plastics waste can be converted into a type of synthetic crude [6]. of synthetic crude [6].
For thermosets,
For thermosets, recycling
recycling as as for
for thermoplastics
thermoplastics is is not
not feasible,
feasible, because
because the the polymer
polymer chains
chains have
have
been converted into a rigid network that cannot be dissolved or molten
been converted into a rigid network that cannot be dissolved or molten anymore. There are some anymore. There are some
attempts to
attempts to e.g.,
e.g., burn
burn offoff the
the polymer
polymer matrix
matrix to to recycle
recycle fibers
fibers from
from composite
composite materials,
materials, which
which in in an
an
energy-efficient process
energy-efficient process cancan make
make sense
sense for
for high-value
high-value materials
materials suchsuch asas carbon
carbon fibers.
fibers.
For elastomers, recycling options are strongly limited,
For elastomers, recycling options are strongly limited, too, because too, because the polymer is also aisnetwork.
the polymer also a
Elastomers cannot be molten nor be dissolved. One of the huge volume
network. Elastomers cannot be molten nor be dissolved. One of the huge volume applications of applications of elastomers is
tires, in which
elastomers natural
is tires, rubber
in which is used
natural next is
rubber toused
a mix of synthetic
next to a mix ofrubbers.
synthetic Byrubbers.
vulcanization or curing,
By vulcanization
the properties of the natural rubber compounds are finalized (a low sulfur
or curing, the properties of the natural rubber compounds are finalized (a low sulfur content on content on the order of the
2%
yields of
order soft2%rubber,
yieldswhereas more sulfur
soft rubber, whereas addition
more gives
sulfurhard rubber).
addition However,
gives the biodegradability
hard rubber). However, the of
the raw materials (mostly latex) is thereby lost. Tires are produced
biodegradability of the raw materials (mostly latex) is thereby lost. Tires are produced (and (and discarded) on the order of
40 million tons
discarded) on the perorder
year on a global
of 40 millionbasis,
tonsand per they
yearhave
on a become a huge
global basis, andenvironmental
they have become concern.a huge
Whereas waste
environmental concern. tire dumps are visible to the public and are of general concern, end-of-life options
for tires include
Whereas incineration
waste tire dumps inare
cement
visibleplants
to theand grinding
public and are them to a fine
of general powder
concern, for addition
end-of-life into
options
asphalt or concrete, which are rarely discussed in the general public. The
for tires include incineration in cement plants and grinding them to a fine powder for addition into attrition of tires on the roads
which leads
asphalt to microplastics
or concrete, which are formation is studied
rarely discussed inand
the discussed even less
general public. The [7], although
attrition it bears
of tires on thea strong
roads
environmental impact.
which leads to microplastics formation is studied and discussed even less [7], although it bears a
strongInenvironmental
the case of tiresimpact.
and rubber in general, feedstock recycling would be a very beneficial approach.
For more
In the case of tires andthe
than five decades, devulcanization
rubber in general,offeedstock
rubber has been studied.
recycling wouldDifferent
be a very technologies
beneficial
have been developed, and some of them have already made it to
approach. For more than five decades, the devulcanization of rubber has been studied. Differentthe market. This review article
provides an update
technologies have been on developed,
the state-of-the-art
and someinofrubber
them havedevulcanization
already madewith it toan
theoutlook
market.on potential
This review
future developments.
article provides an update on the state-of-the-art in rubber devulcanization with an outlook on
potential future developments.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Rubber Vulcanization

Materials 2020, 13, 1246 4 of 16

2. Materials and Methods

Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 4 of 16
2.1. Rubber Vulcanization
By vulcanization, as invented by Goodyear, sulfur can form bonds between unsaturated
polymervulcanization,
By chains found inaslatex
invented
to yieldbynatural
Goodyear,
rubber.sulfur can form
The process bonds
is also between
used unsaturated
for synthetic rubber.
polymer chains found in latex to yield natural rubber. The process is also used for
Accelerators can be added in the process, which is carried out at elevated temperatures. Accelerated synthetic
rubber. Accelerators are
sulfur vulcanizations canclassified
be addedinto in the process,
three different which
typesissuch
carried out at elevated
as conventional (CV),temperatures.
semi-efficient
Accelerated sulfur vulcanizations are classified into three different types such as conventional
(semi-EV), and efficient vulcanization (EV) depending on accelerator/sulfur ratio (A/S) between (CV),
0.1
semi-efficient
and 12 [8]. (semi-EV), and efficient vulcanization (EV) depending on accelerator/sulfur ratio (A/S)
between 0.1 andvulcanization
Common 12 [8]. accelerators are MBT, TBBS, TMTD, DPG, and CBS; for definitions, see
Common
Table 1 [8]. vulcanization accelerators are MBT, TBBS, TMTD, DPG, and CBS; for definitions,
see Table 1 [8].
Table 1. Chemical structure and physical characteristics of various accelerators. Reproduced with
Table 1. Chemical structure and physical characteristics of various accelerators. Reproduced with
permission from [8].
permission from [8].

Vulcanization gives the properties to natural or synthetic rubber; it renders the material into an
elastomer.
Vulcanization gives the properties to natural or synthetic rubber; it renders the material into
an elastomer.
2.2. Waste Tires
2.2. Waste Tires
Tires are used on all sorts of vehicles. After several years, they need to be replaced, because their
Tires
profiles haveare used
become on all
worn sorts of and/or
out, vehicles. After
they several
have become years, they need to be replaced, because their
brittle.
profiles have become
Retreading worn
is done forout,
truck and/or
tires, they
whilehave become
passenger brittle.
car tires are single-use items. End-of-life-tires
(ELTs)Retreading is donerecovered
can be mainly for truck tires,
throughwhile passenger
two routes: thecar tires are single-use
recovery of material items.
and End-of-life-tires
the recovery of
(ELTs)
energycan [9].be mainly
The recovered
calorific value ofthrough
ELT is closetwo routes:
to that of the recovery
coal, and theyof material
are oftenandusedthe inrecovery
paper mills of
energy [9]. The
and cement calorific
works. value of ELT
By pyrolysis, is close
oils can to that
be made of coal,
[10], and they
as deployed areinoften
e.g., ruralused
China in on
paper mills
a scale of
and cement works. By pyrolysis, oils can be made [10], as deployed e.g.,
2 million tons per year [11], leading to substantial emissions. Another possible outlet is oilspill in rural China on a scale
of 2 million tons
remediation [12].per year [11],
Material leading
recovery [13]torequires
substantial emissions. Another possible
the granulation/grinding of ELTs.outlet is oilspillis
The grinding
remediation
reviewed in [12].
[14] byMaterial
Asaro et recovery
al. One[13] can requires
distinguishthe between
granulation/grinding
ambient, wet,of andELTs. The grinding
cryogenic grinding. is
reviewed in [14] by Asaro et al. One can distinguish between ambient, wet,
Most technologies for tire recycling involve the separation of metallic and textile (cord) materials andand cryogenic grinding.
Most technologies
a grinding processfor tire recycling
leading involve reduction
to a significant the separationof theoftiremetallic and textile
dimensions. (cord)
During thematerials
grinding
and a grinding
process, whichprocess
typically leading
yieldsto a significant
granulate of a reduction
few mm orofbelow, the tirethe
dimensions.
temperature During
can be thelower
grinding
than
process,
the glasswhich typically
transition yields granulate
temperature of a few
(i.e., cryogenic mm or of
grinding) below, the temperature
the polymers canorbe
in the tires lower
close than
to room
the glass transition
temperature. temperature
The resulting powder (i.e., can
cryogenic
be used grinding)
as a fillerofe.g.,
the inpolymers
new tireincompounds
the tires or close
but withto room
only
temperature. The resulting powder can be used as a filler e.g., in new
a little amount added at a time. The compatibility between the new rubber compound and ELTs or tire compounds but with only
atheir
little powder
amount added
can beatincreased.
a time. The compatibility
Therefore, between
the ELTs must thebenew rubber compound
devulcanized and ELTs
by breaking theorthree-
their
powder can becross-linking
dimensional increased. Therefore,
network,the ELTs must
or they must bebe modified
devulcanized on theby surface
breaking[9].the three-dimensional
cross-linking network, or they must be modified on the surface [9].
2.3. Rubber Devulcanization
2.3. Rubber Devulcanization
Elastomers such as rubber are cross-linked, which prevents simple recycling, as it can be applied
Elastomers such
to thermoplastics as rubber
[15,16]. The are cross-linked, which
devulcanization process prevents
aims atsimple recycling,
selectively as it can
cleaving the beC-Sapplied
bonds
to thermoplastics [15,16]. The devulcanization process aims at selectively
while leaving the C-C bonds intact. The devulcanization of waste rubber applies energy to cleaving the C-S bonds while
the
leaving the C-C bonds intact. The devulcanization of waste rubber applies
material in order to break up, totally or partially, the three-dimensional network formed during energy to the material in
vulcanization [17]. Selectivity is difficult to achieve, since the energies that are needed to break the S-
S and C-S bonds (227 and 273 kJ/mol, respectively) are rather close to the energy required to break
the C-C bonds (348 kJ/mol) [18].
 Materials 2020, 13, 1246 5 of 16

order to break up, totally or partially, the three-dimensional network formed during vulcanization [17].
Selectivity is difficult to achieve, since the energies that are needed to break the S-S and C-S bonds
(227 and 273 kJ/mol, respectively) are rather close to the energy required to break the C-C bonds
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16
(348 kJ/mol)
Materials [18].
2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW 5 of 16
The higher the selectivity of the devulcanization process, the
The higher the selectivity of the devulcanization process, the better will be the mechanical better will be the mechanical
The higher
properties the selectivity
Horikxof[19] the devulcanization process, the betterthewill be the mechanical
properties ofofthethematerial.
material. Horikx [19] has
hasdeveloped
developed a tool
a toolfor for
investigating
investigating mechanism
the mechanismof network
of
properties
breakdown of
in the
a material.rubber
vulcanized Horikxnetwork.
[19] hasAccording
developed to athis
tool for investigating
theory, the rate of the mechanism
increase of the solubleof
network breakdown in a vulcanized rubber network. According to this theory, the rate of increase of
network breakdown in a vulcanized rubber network. According to this theory, the rate of increase of
the(sol) fraction
soluble (sol)of fraction
the rubber of as
thea function
rubber as of a
thefunction
measured of cross-link
the measured density of the remaining
cross-link density insoluble
of the
the soluble
(gel) fraction (sol)
is fractionfor
different ofcleavage
the rubberof as a functionand
carbon–sulfur of carbon–carbon
the measured cross-link
bonds. density
Thus, of the
solbonds.
fraction
remaining insoluble (gel) fraction is different for cleavage of carbon–sulfur and carbon–carbon
remaining
andsol insoluble (gel) fraction
cross-linking is different for cleavage ofrubber
carbon–sulfur and carbon–carbon bonds.
Thus, fraction anddensity measurements
cross-linking of devulcanized
density measurements samplesrubber
of devulcanized yield an indication
samples yieldofanthe
Thus,
dominant sol fraction and cross-linking density measurements of devulcanized rubber samples yield an
indication of mechanism
the dominant of mechanism
network breakdown
of network according
breakdown to Edards
accordinget al.to[20].
Edards et al. [20].
indication of the dominant mechanism of network breakdown according to Edards et al. [20].
It isIt estimated
is estimated that
that 70%
70% ofof global
global rubberproduction
rubber productiongoesgoesintointotires,
tires,which
whichconsist
consistofof up
up toto 60%
60% of
naturalIt isand
estimated
synthetic that 70% of
rubber global
[14]. rubberwaste
Therefore, production
tires aregoes into tires,the
considered which
main consist
resourceof up
for to 60%
rubber
of natural and synthetic rubber [14]. Therefore, waste tires are considered the main resource for
of natural
reclaiming and synthetic
and recycling; rubber [14].
comparisons Therefore,
are shown waste
in Figure tires are
2. 2. considered the main resource for
rubber reclaiming and recycling; comparisons are shown in Figure
rubber reclaiming and recycling; comparisons are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 2. Tire composition for passenger cars (left) and trucks (right). Reproduced withwith
permission
Figure2.2.Tire
Figure Tirecomposition
composition for
for passenger
passenger cars
cars (left)
(left) and trucks
and trucks (right).
(right). Reproduced
Reproduced permission
with permission
from: [14]. from: [14].
from: [14].

Truck tires
Truck contain
tires containmore natural
more rubber
natural rubberthan tires
than forfor
tires passenger
passenger cars, because
cars, they
because areare
they subjected
subjected
Truck tires contain more natural rubber than tires for passenger cars, because they are subjected
to more mechanical stress, which natural rubber sustains better
to more mechanical stress, which natural rubber sustains better [14]. [14].
to more mechanical stress, which natural rubber sustains better [14].
Truck tires
Truck typically
tires typicallycontain
containnatural
naturalrubber
rubber(NR)
(NR) and rubber (butadiene
and synthetic rubber (butadienerubber,
rubber,BR
BRand
Truck tires typically contain natural rubber (NR) and synthetic rubber (butadiene rubber, BR
andstyrene–butadiene
styrene–butadiene rubber,
rubber, SBR)
SBR) [9,21].
[9,21].
and styrene–butadiene rubber, SBR) [9,21].
TheThe
basic composition
basic composition of tire rubber
of tire rubberis shown
is shown in in
Table.
Table 2 2below.
below.
The basic composition of tire rubber is shown in Table. 2 below.
Table 2. Tire
Table rubber
2. Tire composition
rubber [22].
composition [22].
Table 2. Tire rubber composition [22].

The tire rubber composition as shown in Table 2 strongly affects, or rather determines, the
The tire rubber composition as shown in Table 2 strongly affects, or rather determines, the
product properties. Tires play a critical role in a vehicle’s safety performance, operating costs, and
The tire
product rubber composition
properties. Tires play aas shownrole
critical in Table 2 strongly
in a vehicle’s affects,
safety or rather determines,
performance, operating the product
costs, and
environmental impact. The industry constantly aims at improving wet traction, rolling resistance,
properties. Tires play
environmental a critical
impact. role in a vehicle’s
The industry constantly safety
aimsperformance,
at improving operating costs,rolling
wet traction, and environmental
resistance,
and abrasion resistance, which has become known as the “magic triangle”, since the optimization of
impact. The resistance,
and abrasion industry constantly
which hasaims becomeat improving
known as the wet“magic
traction, rolling since
triangle”, resistance, and abrasion
the optimization of
any of these parameters typically leads to a worsening of the others. With tires having become high-
resistance,
any of thesewhich has become
parameters known
typically leadsastothe “magic triangle”,
a worsening since the
of the others. Withoptimization
tires havingofbecome
any of high-
these
tech products, the raw materials need to be well-defined with constant properties, which makes it
parameters typically
tech products, leads
the raw to a worsening
materials need to of bethe others. With
well-defined withtires havingproperties,
constant become high-tech products,
which makes it
difficult to develop recycling materials, particularly since tires are not uniform in their composition.
the raw materials need to be well-defined with constant properties, which makes it difficult
difficult to develop recycling materials, particularly since tires are not uniform in their composition. to develop
Regarding the useful life, there are two types of tires: the reusable tires and the non-reusable
recycling materials,
Regarding particularly
the useful sinceare
life, there tirestwo
aretypes
not uniform
of tires:inthe
their composition.
reusable tires and the non-reusable
tires. The reusable tires are sent to tire retreading companies, providing them a new tread and run
tires. The reusable tires are sent to tire retreading companies, providing them a new tread and run
into service again. The non-reusable are tires that cannot be retreaded due to an advanced damage,
into service again. The non-reusable are tires that cannot be retreaded due to an advanced damage,
structural deformation, or high degradation. These tires are the starting materials for recycling,
structural deformation, or high degradation. These tires are the starting materials for recycling,
according to Asaro et al. [14].
according to Asaro et al. [14].
For devulanization, waste rubber tire (WRT) material is typically first processed into ground tire
For devulanization, waste rubber tire (WRT) material is typically first processed into ground tire
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 6 of 16

Regarding the useful life, there are two types of tires: the reusable tires and the non-reusable
tires. The reusable tires are sent to tire retreading companies, providing them a new tread and run
into service again. The non-reusable are tires that cannot be retreaded due to an advanced damage,
structural deformation, or high degradation. These tires are the starting materials for recycling,
according to Asaro et al. [14].
For devulanization, waste rubber tire (WRT) material is typically first processed into ground
tire rubber (GTR). While waste tires are often just landfilled or burnt in an ill-controlled manner,
GTR can be processed into rubberized asphalt [23,24], bitumen [25], cement [26], concrete, tiles, thermal
and acoustic isolation [14], and other products. However, simply mixing untreated GTR into an
(elastomeric) matrix greatly decreases its mechanical properties, because the cross-linked rubber
particles will show poor interfacial adhesion and dispersion.
To improve these, devulcanization has been researched for more than five decades [27].
In the process, monosulfidic, (C-S), di-sulfidic (S-S), and polysulfidic (–Sx -) bonds in the rubber
matrix are cleaved.
It was shown by de Sousa et al. that the final temperature reached by the rubber mixture is the
main factor responsible for the success of the process [28]. Too high temperatures are to be avoided to
prevent degradation of the main chains.
Thermomechanical [7,18], chemical [29–31], ultrasonic-based [32], microwave-assisted [28,33],
and biological devulcanization methods [34] have been studied extensively.
Molanorouzi and Mohaved have proposed an irradiation technique for rubber devulcanization [35].
Chen et al. [36] describe supercritical solvent-based devulcanization.
A twin-screw extruder for thermomechanical devulcanization is considered most practical [18],
because that type of machinery is commonly used in the polymer industry. In addition, scalability to
industrial volume is seen best for extrusion [14].
Figure 3 shows a typical co-rotating twin-screw extruder setup (a) and a screw configuration for
devulcanization (b).
 [35]. Chen et al. [36] describe supercritical solvent-based devulcanization.
A twin-screw extruder for thermomechanical devulcanization is considered most practical [18],
because that type of machinery is commonly used in the polymer industry. In addition, scalability to
industrial volume is seen best for extrusion [14].
Figure
Materials 3 shows
2020, 13, 1246 a typical co-rotating twin-screw extruder setup (a) and a screw configuration for
7 of 16
devulcanization (b).

Figure3.3. A twin-screw
Figure twin-screw extruder
extruderforforcontinuous
continuousdevulcanization.
devulcanization. Reproduced withwith
Reproduced permission from
permission
from[18],
[18],(a)
(a)Shows
Showsaascheme
schemeofofthe
theextruder.
extruder.(b)
(b)isisa atypical screw
typical configuration
screw with
configuration thethe
with different
different
process sections. process sections.

Formela
Formelaetetal.al.havehavestudied
studiedthetheeffect
effectofofscrew
screwconfiguration
configuration[37].
[37].
ItItwas
wasfound
foundby bySeghar
Segharetetal.al.that
thatupuptoto65
65wt wt%%ofofvirgin
virginnatural
naturalrubber
rubber(NR)
(NR)can
canbebereplaced
replacedby by
rubber
rubberrecycled
recycled withwith
devulcanized
devulcanizedmaterial [18]. In general,
material [18]. In lower temperatures
general, than for vulcanization
lower temperatures than for
are deployed toare
vulcanization avoid the formation
deployed to avoid oftheharmful
formation volatile organic
of harmful compounds
volatile organic(VOC) and destructive
compounds (VOC) and
polymer
destructivedegradation
polymer (cleavage of
degradation
Materials 2020, 13, x FOR PEER REVIEW C-C bonds).
(cleavage Hof
2 S and
C-C mercaptanes
bonds). H 2 Sare toxic
and compounds,
mercaptanes and
7are
of the
16 toxic
resulting fumes need to be captured and controlled. A process temperature of 180–300 ◦ C is often
compounds, and
recommended. the resulting
Seghar fumes
et al. [18] haveneed
usedto80–220 ◦ C.
be captured and controlled. A process temperature of
180–300
Figure °C 4is takes
often arecommended. Seghar et devulvanization
look at the postulated al. [18] have usedmechanism.
80–220 °C.
Figure 4 takes a look at the postulated devulvanization mechanism.

Figure 4. Mechanism
Figure 4. forthe
Mechanism for thecross-linking
cross-linkingbreakage
breakagein in a thermomechanical
a thermomechanical devulcanization
devulcanization process.
process.
Reproduced
Reproduced with permission
permissionfrom
from[14].
[14].

For the thermochemical approach in an extruder, the use of supercritical CO2 (scCO₂) has been
suggested [14,38]. CO2 is chemically inactive, non-toxic, non-flammable, and inexpensive. Its critical
point can be reached easily (31.1 °C, 7.38 MPa), and residual scCO₂ in the devulcanized rubber is
removed easily.
As a chemical method, the oxidation of sulfur bonds using nitric acid (HNO3) and benzoyl-
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 8 of 16

For the thermochemical approach in an extruder, the use of supercritical CO2 (scCO2 ) has been
suggested [14,38]. CO2 is chemically inactive, non-toxic, non-flammable, and inexpensive. Its critical
point can be reached easily (31.1 ◦ C, 7.38 MPa), and residual scCO2 in the devulcanized rubber is
removed easily.
As a chemical method, the oxidation of sulfur bonds using nitric acid (HNO3 ) and benzoyl-peroxide
(C14 H10 O
Materials 4 ) was
2020, 13, x studied
FOR PEER[30,31,39].
REVIEW Figure 5 takes a look at the mechanism using that agent. 8 of 16

Figure 5. Plausible reaction mechanism of devulcanization. Reproduced with permission from [39].
Figure 5. Plausible reaction mechanism of devulcanization. Reproduced with permission from [39].
Asaro et al. [14] have suggested diphenyl disulfide (DD) as effective devulcanizing agent.
DD was alsoetproposed
Asaro by other
al. [14] have authors
suggested such asdisulfide
diphenyl Kojima et al. [40–43],
(DD) Jiangdevulcanizing
as effective et al. [44], Shi agent.
et al. [45],
DD
and Mangili et al. [46].
was also proposed by other authors such as Kojima et al. [40–43], Jiang et al. [44], Shi et al. [45], and
Mangili
Mangili et al.et[46].
al. [9] used ground truck-tire rubber (GTR) for devulcanization in supercritical CO2 in
the presence
Mangili etdiphenyl
of disulfide
al. [9] used groundastruck-tire
the devulcanizing agent.
rubber (GTR) for devulcanization in supercritical CO2
The temperature and pressure ◦
in the presence of diphenyl disulfidewere 180devulcanizing
as the C and 15 MPa, and the ratio between rubber and DD
agent.
was 10 wt %.
The temperature and pressure were 180 °C and 15 MPa, and the ratio between rubber and DD
was 10 wt %.
ScCO2 was found to be a good swelling agent, and it exhibits a favorable distribution coefficient
for DD [9]. The most limiting factor for this devulcanization process is the amount of unreacted DD
in the treated GTR [9].
For ultrasound, 20–50 kHz were proposed by Liang et al. [47].
Concerning devulcanization by microwaves, it was found out by de Sousa et al. that the natural
rubber phase of tires, which contains most of the carbon black as opposed to the synthetic rubber
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 9 of 16

ScCO2 was found to be a good swelling agent, and it exhibits a favorable distribution coefficient
for DD [9]. The most limiting factor for this devulcanization process is the amount of unreacted DD in
the treated GTR [9].
For ultrasound, 20–50 kHz were proposed by Liang et al. [47].
Concerning devulcanization by microwaves, it was found out by de Sousa et al. that the natural
rubber phase of tires, which contains most of the carbon black as opposed to the synthetic rubber
phase, can be degraded more by microwaves [28].
An alternative approach has been the use of ionic liquids as studied by Seghar et al. [48].
To improve the devulcanization efficiency, Saputra et al. [49] have tested deep eutectic solvents (DES) in
thermochemical–ultrasonic devulcanization of GTR. As DES, ChCl:urea, ChCl:ZnCl2 , and ZnCl2 :urea
were used, with ChCl being choline chloride.
Thiobisphenols, e.g., 4,40-dithiobis(2,6-di-t-butylphenol), were also studied for thermochemical
devulcanization by Zhang et al. [50]. In that study, 100 parts of GTR were mixed with 10 parts of
aromatic oil with different contents of thiobisphenols of up to 3 g by a blender at room temperature.
Subsequently, the devulcanization process was carried out using an internal mixer at 45 rpm between
180 and 200 ◦ C for 10 min [50].
Ghorai et al. [8,51] proposed using bis(3-triethoxysilyl propyl) tetrasulfide (TESPT) for chemical
devulcanization. Dubkov et al. [52] used N2 O in organic solvents.
Sabzekar et al. [53] deployed benzoyl peroxide (BPO) as a devulcanizing agent.
In addition, N-cyclohexyl-benzothiazyl-sulphenamide (CBS), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (TMTD),
2-mercaptobenzothiazol (MBT), and N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazyl-sulphonamide (TBBS) could be
deployed successfully for the devulcanization of cured rubber. Amines are another class of
devulcanizing agents according to Sutanto et al. [54], e.g., hexadecylamine (HDA) [35].
Mangili et al. have compared different devulcanization methods [55]. The scCO2 (with DD) and
ultrasonic methods as bulk treatments involve a high amount of energy and chemicals; however,
they are quite selective processes. On the other hand, the biological process (using e.g., the bacterium
G. desulfuricans 213E) is limited to the surface and is highly selective toward sulfur; it requires a low
amount of energy and chemicals [55]. However, this process does not have high yields [55].
To study devulcanization, researchers have used ground tires, or they have prepared fresh ground
natural rubber (GNR). For instance, in [8], Ghorai et al. prepared GNR from vulcanized natural rubber
through compounding NR (100 phr = per hundred resin) with ZnO: 5 phr, stearic acid: 2 phr, CBS: 1.2
phr, and sulfur: 1.8 phr in a two-roll mixing mill at a friction ratio 1:1.25. Then, the compounded NR
was cured at 150 ◦ C for 3.5 min, followed by aging at 70 ◦ C for 96 h. The vulcanized and aged rubber
sheets were ground in a two-roll mixing mill to obtain GNR.
To analyze the quality of devulcanization, energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform
infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and
thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used by Saputra et al. [49].
In addition, solvent extraction and swelling, as well as attenuated total reflectance Fourier
transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, were applied by de Sousa at al. [28], alongside cross-link
density, soluble fraction, and Mooney viscosity, and by using the Horikx diagram by Seghar et al. [18].
Mangili et al. used cross-link density, sol fraction, gel fraction, and sulfur content [46].
In order to reduce the processing costs of “full devulcanization”, the dynamic vulcanization
of GTR/plastic blends was proposed. This is a cross-linking process between GTR and a plastic
matrix initiated by sulfur [56,57] or peroxides [58–60] during melt blending. According to Jiang et al.,
the resulting cross-linking will improve interfacial adhesion [11].
Another approach is to limit devulcanization to the surface of ground rubber tire powder.
Thereby, particles can be reactivated to incorporate them into a new polymer matrix. This was
investigated for PE by Jiang et al. [11] to prepare ground tire rubber/high-density polyethylene
(GTR/HDPE) blends.
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 10 of 16

Surface devulcanization was achieved using intense shear and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA),
and then amine groups were grafted to the surface of devulcanized GTR by Jiang et al. [11]. In that
paper, GTR was masticated in a two-roll mill with minimum roller distance (for maximum mechanical
shear forces) 20 times. Then, 5 wt % TEPA as the chemically devulcanizing agent was added into the
GTR, and the mixture was kneaded on the two-roll mill for 10 times to obtain surface-devulcanized
GTR. The
Materials process
2020, was
13, x FOR followed
PEER REVIEWby in situ grafting; see Figure 6 below. 10 of 16

Figure 6. Schematic illustration of the preparation of ground truck-tire rubber/high-density polyethylene

Figure 6. Schematic illustration of the preparation of ground truck-tire rubber/high-density
(GTR/HDPE) blend by combining surface devulcanization and in situ grafting technology (styrene (St),
polyethylene (GTR/HDPE) blend by combining surface devulcanization and in situ grafting
glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were used). Reproduced with permission
technology (styrene (St), glycidyl methacrylate (GMA), and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) were used).
from [15].
Reproduced with permission from [15].

An innovative devulcanization/rubber reclaiming method is presented in [13] by Dobrotă and

An innovative devulcanization/rubber reclaiming method is presented in [13] by Dobrotă and
Dobrotă (ultrasonic activation).
Dobrotă (ultrasonic activation).
2.4. Revulcanization
2.4. Revulcanization
For revulcanizing the devulcanized rubber, the following recipe has been suggested.
For100
On revulcanizing the devulcanized
parts of devulcanized rubber,rubber, theoffollowing
2 parts recipe
stearic acid, has been
4 parts suggested.
of ZnO, 1.5 parts of CBS
(N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfonamide), and 1.5 parts of S were used by De et al.parts
On 100 parts of devulcanized rubber, 2 parts of stearic acid, 4 parts of ZnO, 1.5 [16]. of CBS (N-
cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazole sulfonamide), and 1.5 parts of S were used by De et al. [16].
In [50], 100 parts of devulcanized rubber were mixed with 2.5 g of zinc oxide, 0.3 g of stearic acid,
In accelerator
0.8 g of [50], 100 parts of devulcanized rubber were mixed withand
NS (N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazylsulfonamide), 2.51.2
g of zinc
g of oxide,
sulfur. 0.3 gwas
Curing of stearic
done
acid, 0.8
◦ g of accelerator
at 145 C and 15 MPa. NS (N-tert-butyl-2-benzothiazylsulfonamide), and 1.2 g of sulfur. Curing
was done at 145 °C and 15 MPa.
2.5. Potential Advantages of Rubber Recycling
2.5. Potential Advantages of Rubber Recycling
Reclaiming rubber from end-of-life products such as tires bears several advantages, as elaborated
on byReclaiming
the pertinentrubber from
literature [27]:end-of-life products such as tires bears several advantages, as
elaborated on by the pertinent literature [27]:
* Conservation
* Conservation ofofnatural
natural resources
resources (less
(lessnatural
naturalrubber
rubberis isneeded)
needed)
* Conservation
* Conservation ofofenergy
energy (less transportation,
(less transportation, less energy
less energy inin
manufacturing)
manufacturing)
* Avoidance
* Avoidance of uncontrolled or high-emission end-of-life scenariossuch
of uncontrolled or high-emission end-of-life scenarios suchasasdumping
dumpingororburning.
burning.
* Cost
* Costsavings for goods
savings producers,
for goods since the
producers, devulcanized
since material ismaterial
the devulcanized cheaper than its replacement,
is cheaper than its
natural rubber.
replacement, natural rubber.

3.3. Results
Results
Sabzekar
Sabzekar et
etal.
al. succeeded
succeeded in
in adding
adding 40%
40% of
ofreclaimed
reclaimed(devulcanized)
(devulcanized) rubber
rubber to
tonatural
naturalrubber
rubber
without a significant decrease in the mechanical properties [53].
without a significant decrease in the mechanical properties [53].
It was found by Seghar et al. that up to 65 wt % of virgin natural rubber (NR) can be replaced by
rubber recycled with devulcanized material [18].
Several studies confirm that devulcanized rubber can be reprocessed into rubber products such
as tires without adverse effects.
Some of the studies have used laboratory equipment, such as roller mixers, while others have
 Materials 2020, 13, 1246 11 of 16

It was found by Seghar et al. that up to 65 wt % of virgin natural rubber (NR) can be replaced by
rubber recycled with devulcanized material [18].
Several studies confirm that devulcanized rubber can be reprocessed into rubber products such as
tires without adverse effects.
Some of the studies have used laboratory equipment, such as roller mixers, while others have
utilized industrial equipment such as co-rotating twin-screw extruders.
There
Materials arex commercial
2020, 13, offerings available, e.g., by Tyromer [61], Phenix [62], and Levgum
FOR PEER REVIEW 11 of[63].
16
Examples of two early patents are GB297817 (Firestone, 1935, Improvements in or relating to
ofprocess
disintegration and devulcanization
of disintegration of rubberofscrap)
and devulcanization and
rubber GB2350839
scrap) (Goodyear,
and GB2350839 2000, Surface
(Goodyear, 2000,
devulcanization of cured of
Surface devulcanization rubber
curedcrumb).
rubber crumb).

4.4.Conclusions
Conclusions
Theliterature
The literaturebears
bearsaawealth
wealthofofinformation
informationononrubber
rubberdevulcanization,
devulcanization,which
whichcancanbe
beachieved
achieved
by thermal, thermochemical, mechanical, and biological means. The process as such has aagood
by thermal, thermochemical, mechanical, and biological means. The process as such has good
environmentalperformance,
environmental performance, since
since virgin
virgin materials
materials andand energy
energy are conserved.
are conserved. In addition,
In addition, it can
it can bring
bring significant
about about significant cost savings.
cost savings. The general
The general recycling
recycling hierarchy,
hierarchy, whichwhich
also also applied
applied to tires,
to tires, is
is summarized
summarized in the
in the following
following Figure
Figure 7. 7.

Properwaste
Figure7.7.Proper
Figure wastemanagement
managementhierarchy.
hierarchy.Reproduced
Reproducedwith
withpermission
permissionfrom
from[21].
[21].

Reuse is better than recycling, and a material recycling path is to be preferred over feedstock
Reuse is better than recycling, and a material recycling path is to be preferred over feedstock
recycling due to the lower energy requirements. Energy recovery should be the last step of a cascaded
recycling due to the lower energy requirements. Energy recovery should be the last step of a cascaded
use model. Landfilling in general should be avoided. Although carbon is being sequestered, the burying
use model. Landfilling in general should be avoided. Although carbon is being sequestered, the
of organic, reactive materials bears risks, and waste tire dump fires have been reported previously,
burying of organic, reactive materials bears risks, and waste tire dump fires have been reported
see e.g., Escobar-Arnanz et al. [22,64].
previously, see e.g., Escobar-Arnanz et al. [22,64].
The same properties for rubber that has been devulcanized and revulcanized as for virgin material
The same properties for rubber that has been devulcanized and revulcanized as for virgin
were reported by Ghosh et al. [65].
material were reported by Ghosh et al. [65].
Apart from addressing the recycling of large volume rubber product streams such as tires,
Apart from addressing the recycling of large volume rubber product streams such as tires,
solutions need to be found to:
solutions need to be found to:
(a) a) make
makeraw
rawmaterial manufacturing
material manufacturing(i.e., latex/natural
(i.e., rubber)
latex/natural more
rubber) moresustainable
sustainable
(b) make attrition to microplastics particles from tires less harmful, i.e., biodegradable. This might be
b) make attrition to microplastics particles from tires less harmful, i.e., biodegradable. This
achieved through suitable bioplastics materials.
might be achieved through suitable bioplastics materials.
Natural rubber today is mainly produced from the latex of the rubber tree or others. The rubber
treeNatural
is grownrubber
in tropical
todayareas, where
is mainly plantations
produced fromhave often of
the latex been
the established
rubber tree on previous
or others. rainforest
The rubber
tree is grown in tropical areas, where plantations have often been established on previous rainforest
land. Due to its nature to partially crystalize, natural rubber is harder than synthetic rubber, and it
will give a longer lifetime to tires. This is also the reason while truck tires, which can run for well
over 100,000 km [66], contain a larger fraction of natural rubber than do passenger car tires. Tire
collection needs to be improved, and less environmentally friendly end-of-life options should be
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 12 of 16

land. Due to its nature to partially crystalize, natural rubber is harder than synthetic rubber, and it will
give a longer lifetime to tires. This is also the reason while truck tires, which can run for well over
100,000 km [66], contain a larger fraction of natural rubber than do passenger car tires. Tire collection
needs to be improved, and less environmentally friendly end-of-life options should be discontinued.
There is a very strong, scientifically rooted interest in the feedstock recycling of rubber. On the one hand,
this route provides a meaningful end-of-life exit for waste tires, and on the other hand, it conserves
resources by reducing fresh natural and synthetic rubber demand. The circular economy concept [67]
is to be extended to elastomers, in which tires will play a crucial role.
Other approaches to make tires more sustainable can be found in the use of alternative raw
materials. For instance, Midhun et al. have suggested replacing carbon black (CB) by rice husk derived
nanocellulose (RHNC) [68]; see also Fan et al. [69] for a carbon black outlook. Jiang [70] suggested
using waste lignin to obtain a CB replacement material. Other novel fillers under discussion are
functionalized starch (Li et al. [71]) and carbon nanotubes (Gumede et al. [72]).

5. Summary
Feedstock recycling can be considered the ultimate goal for polymers in that the original monomers
are recovered. It seems feasible for some pure polymers. For complex product mixtures such as
tires, feedstock recycling back to isoprene and the other constituents seems not feasible today.
However, a process to reverse vulcanization, and hence make the elastomeric material meltable and
processable again, is devulcanization. Devulcanization offers a route to recycling end-of-life tires back
into high value-added products, so that virgin natural and synthetic rubber can be partly replaced and
saved with economical and environmental benefits.
This review article has provided an update on the state-of-the-art in rubber devulcanization,
as a promising alternative to tire landfilling, grinding to powder and incineration in cement plants.
Previous reviews are e.g., [73] by Manzano-Agugliaro et al., [74] by A. I. Isaye, [75] by Bockstal et al. [21],
Forrest [15], De, Isayev, and Khait [16], Karger-Kocsis et al. [76], Simon et al. [77], and Garcia et al. [78].
Another area in need of more technology development is the natural rubber feedstock base.
Today, it is dominated by latex from rubber trees. Alternative isoprene sources such as fig tree milk
offer the potential to be more sustainable in terms of land usage, transportation, and cultivation
requirements. Medium chain-length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl PHA) are biodegradable, and they
can either be made from carbohydrates or through photoautotrophic microorganisms using CO2 as
the sole carbon source. This offers the potential for biodegradable tires, where attrition would be
significantly less harmful due to is shortened lifetime. In addition, microbial production would not
require arable land and avoid competition with feed—and food—production, which is an issue often
raised against biofuels and bioplastics. It is expected that the world fleet of cars will continue to grow,
and that tires will be needed in future in large quantities. Therefore, sustainable end-of-life options are
necessary, and more sustainable raw materials need to be sought. The circular economy concept needs
to be extended to elastomers such as rubber and products made out of rubber. The devulcanization
technology is a promising route with a realistic potential for large-scale implementation in the near
future. Therefore, governments and the EU must introduce new laws for the circular economy and
support companies to develop even more efficient recycling technologies.

Author Contributions: E.M. and M.L. have jointly produced this review article. Their contributions were about
50/50 throughout the manuscript. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: Open Access Funding by University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien. This paper is an extended
version of an article in Tyre & Rubber Recycling by Lackner et al. [27].
Acknowledgments: Open Access Funding by University of Applied Sciences Technikum Wien.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Materials 2020, 13, 1246 13 of 16

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