Features of an efficient and environmentally attractive used tyres pyrolysis with energy and material recovery

This paper presents the essential features of an efficient and environmentally attractive pyrolysis for used tyres valorisation with energy and material recovery. The problem of tyres management strongly affects not only the environmental protection but even the resources maintenance, since problems related to the depletion of resources, energy demand and waste management, are strictly connected and required an integrated approach. A general guideline for EU member states, aims to reach a zero post-consumer amount of tyre disposal in landfills before the end of 21st century, to optimize and expand the already well studied ways of their treatment and find new ones, in order to accomplish a balance between economy and environmental protection. In this context, thermal treatment of end of life tyres could play a relevant role for the recovery of resources (matter and/or energy). During the past 10-15 years, several fundamental and applied studies showed that if carefully controlled, tyre pyrolysis can produce a number of valuable products. The final destination of the pyrolysis solid residue largely influences the industrial applications of pyrolysis. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.