Complete Tire Recycling Process – From Scrap Tires to High-Value Rubber Products
RTM provides a fully integrated, modular tire recycling system that converts waste tires into profitable products: from Tire Derived Fuel (TDF) and Tire Derived Aggregate (TDA) to crumb rubber, fine rubber powder, and clean steel. Each stage is engineered for high throughput, low operating cost, and consistent product quality.
Shredding & Tire Size Reduction
Objective: Reduce whole tires into controlled-size shreds or chips as the foundation of all downstream products.
Whole tires are fed into the RTM primary shredder line, where they are reduced into uniform pieces. Through secondary chipping and disc screening, the system produces TDF or TDA according to the required specification.
- RTM Primary Shredder – high-torque single-pass size reduction
- RTM Chipping / Chip Shredder – precision cutting for TDF
- RTM Disc Screen – accurate particle size classification
- Integrated conveyors & disc screen separators
TDF – Tire Derived Fuel
- Size: 1″–4″ (25–100 mm)
- Applications: Cement kilns, steel mills, power plants, pulp & paper mills
- Benefits: Burns hotter & cleaner than coal or petcoke
TDA – Tire Derived Aggregate
- Size: 4″–16″ (100–400 mm)
- Applications: Backfill, slope stabilization, embankments, drainage, sound barriers
- Benefits: Lightweight, durable, excellent drainage, vibration & thermal insulation
Steel Liberation & Clean Wire-Free Rubber
Objective: Separate steel from rubber and generate clean, wire-free materials for higher-value applications.
Tire shreds from Stage 1 are processed through RTM liberator technology, mechanically liberating embedded steel from the rubber fraction. Magnetic separation systems recover clean steel, while air and dust collection systems extract residual fiber.
- RTM 2R / 4R Liberator systems (capacity-based selection)
- Belt & drum magnet steel separation modules
- Steel reclaim system for up to 98% clean steel
- Optional air/dust collection for fiber removal
- Conveyors & separation framework
Rubber Mulch Playground & Equestrian Footing
- Long-lasting, non-fading landscaping mulch
- Soft, impact-absorbing surfacing for playgrounds & arenas
- Excellent drainage, insect resistance, reduced erosion
Wire-Free TDF
- Ideal feedstock for waste-to-energy, pyrolysis & gasification
- Produces high-grade carbon char, syngas & biofuel precursors
Clean Steel
- High-purity recovered steel ready for sale & smelting
Granulation & Fiber Removal – Crumb Rubber Production
Objective: Convert wire-free rubber chips into high-quality crumb rubber for sports, safety, and molded products.
Wire-free rubber (up to 25 mm) is fed into the RTM granulator line, reducing it to approx. 4 mm crumb rubber. Multi-deck screens ensure precise sizing, while air gravity tables remove remaining fibers to meet demanding specifications.
- RTM Granulator units
- Air gravity table with de-stoner
- Multi-deck screening systems
- Drum magnet for final metal removal
- Conveyors & closed-loop material handling
Artificial Turf Infill
- Softer impact, improved player comfort
- Fast drainage, consistent performance
Pour-in-Place Surfaces & Rubber Tiles
- Running tracks, playground surfaces, mats & flooring
- Durable, low-maintenance, customizable colors
Rubber Molded Products
- Landscaping blocks, pavers, industrial mats & more
- Excellent impact absorption & weather resistance
Milling & Fine Screening – 10–80 Mesh Rubber Powder
Objective: Produce high-quality fine rubber powder for advanced industrial and infrastructure applications.
4–8 mm crumb rubber from Stage 3 is processed in the RTM dual-drive milling line, generating uniform 10–80 mesh rubber powder. Final screening and bagging systems ensure controlled particle size and clean, ready-to-use product.
- RTM Dual Drive Crackermill systems
- Final precision sizing screens
- Automated bagging & bulk loading stations
- Integrated conveyors for continuous flow
Rubberized Asphalt
- Quieter, safer, crack-resistant road surfaces
- Improved drainage & freeze-thaw resistance
- Reduced layer thickness and lifecycle costs
Injection & Compression Molded Products
- Automotive parts, shoe soles, sports & fitness mats
- Vibration & sound insulation for buildings and roofs
- Excellent compatibility with multiple polymers
RTM Tire Recycling System Overview
| Stage | Main Output | Typical Size | Key Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 – Shredding | TDF / TDA | 25–400 mm | Fuel, civil engineering, bulk reduction |
| Stage 2 – Liberation | Wire-free rubber, clean steel | 4–16 mm | Mulch, playground footing, WtE, metal recycling |
| Stage 3 – Granulation | Crumb rubber | ~4 mm | Artificial turf, tiles, safety surfaces |
| Stage 4 – Milling | Fine rubber powder | 10–80 mesh | Rubberized asphalt, molded & engineered products |
Which RTM Tire Recycling Configuration Is Right for You?
RTM systems are modular. Start with the stage that matches your current market, then easily expand as demand and capacity grow.
Fuel & Cement / Power Plants
- Recommended: Stage 1 or Stage 1 + Stage 2
- Focus products: TDF, wire-free TDF
- Ideal for operators near heavy industry clusters.
Civil & Landscaping Projects
- Recommended: Stage 1 + Stage 2
- Focus products: TDA, rubber mulch, clean steel
- Targets infrastructure, municipalities & landscape supply.
Sports, Safety & Flooring Markets
- Recommended: Stage 1–3
- Focus products: Crumb rubber for turf & safety surfaces
- High value, stable demand from sports & public projects.
Advanced Materials & Asphalt
- Recommended: Full line Stage 1–4
- Focus products: 10–80 mesh rubber powder
- Ideal for large integrated recyclers & material producers.
Contact RTM for tailored project design, capacity planning, and ROI analysis based on your local feedstock, regulations, and target markets.