John Loudermilk, CEO of Birla Carbon, returns to The Tyre Recycling Podcast for Episode 89 to continue his discussion with Ewan Scott regarding the evolving landscape of the recovered carbon black (rCB) market. John explores why the adoption of sustainable carbonaceous materials has been slower than anticipated, citing the current economic pressures and the competitive nature of imported tyres. He highlights Birla Carbon’s strategic partnerships with Circtec in the Netherlands and their joint venture in India as key steps toward becoming a preferred supplier in a market he expects to reach 10% of global demand in the long term.

John also explains the technical necessity of refining pyrolysis char through milling, pelletising, and blending to ensure the consistency and cleanliness required by high-barrier industries. From the unique organoleptic requirements of potable water pipes to the UV stabilisation needs of plastics, this episode delves into why a collaborative partnering approach is essential for shifting rCB from a trial material to a contractual mainstay.

John Loudermilk covers all this and more in Episode 89. So please join us as we discuss the "formulation vs product" challenge and the road to wider market acceptance.

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Dr Geoff Fowler, Senior Research Fellow at Imperial College London, joins The Tyre Recycling Podcast for Episode 88, recorded at the Recovered Carbon Black Conference in Barcelona. Dr Fowler sits down with Ewan Scott to discuss his team's ground-breaking research into improving the quality of rCB (Recovered Carbon Black) directly within the pyrolysis reactor. He outlines the limitations of current "Victorian" pyrolysis principles and explains how in-reactor chemistry can be used to discourage graphite formation, resulting in a product that more closely matches virgin carbon black.

Dr Fowler also details the use of specific solid additives—including a highly successful natural mineral—that act as both an abrasive and a catalyst for in-situ milling and thermal decomposition. Furthermore, the episode explores the future of circularity in tyre manufacturing, the challenges of replacing carbon black in tyre treads, and the potential for pyrolysis to recover essential rubber chemistry building blocks like isoprene units.

Dr Geoff Fowler covers all this and more in Episode 88. So please join us as we learn all about the latest technical advancements in the pyrolysis sector.

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Francesco Di Pierro, Founder and CEO of Rubber Conversion, joins The Tyre Recycling Podcast for Episode 87 to discuss the future of sustainable rubber compounds. Recorded at the Round Trip Tyre and Conveyor Belt Recycling Summit in Melbourne, a joint event with Tyre Stewardship Australia and Tyrewise, this episode explores Rubber Conversion’s patented mechanochemical devulcanisation process. Francesco explains how this low-temperature technology promotes devulcanisation while minimising depolymerisation, resulting in high-quality raw materials that maintain abrasion resistance—a critical factor for meeting upcoming Euro 7 regulations.

Francesco also details the company's strategic partnership with the historic machinery manufacturer Comerio Ercole, which provides engineering reliability for their global expansion. He outlines the success of the "Life Green Vulcan" project with partners like Bridgestone and Stellantis, and discusses their recent expansion plans, including a capacity increase in Verona, new opportunities in the Balkans, and a newly signed licensing agreement in India. Finally, Francesco offers his insights on the European regulatory landscape, including the challenges and contradictions of the EUDR and end-of-waste criteria.

Francesco Di Pierro covers all this and more in Episode 87. So please join us as we learn all about the innovations driving the integration of recycled rubber into high-performance applications.

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