A plant is set to be built to add to those finding ways to get rid of New Zealand’s used tyres.
Recycling company Ecoversion is planning a new state-of-the-art plant to process 10,000 tonnes of tyres annually. New Zealand currently disposes of 60,000 tonnes annually.
Ecoversion director, Angela Merrie says they are in the final stages of purchasing the plant from China. They plan to be fully operational by the end of the year.
“End-of-life tyres are a huge problem in this country but we are excited to be able to provide a partial solution. Our tyre processing plant will assists with the Ministry for the Environment’s zero waste to landfill strategy,” says Merrie.
Ecoversion’s new plant will process used tyres to create de-vulcanised rubber sheets and bitumen modifiers. Merrie says that current recycling processes focus on producing crumb rubber but the new technology to be introduced takes recycling a step further. “The de-vulcanised rubber from our new waste plant will be used for other rubber products such as tyre retreading, providing a full closed loop tyre recycling opportunity and the bitumen modifiers will provide more stable, safer roading with increased longevity.”
They have found export markets for the output, but also want to develop local markets.
The company is finalising a land purchase agreement for its operational site and expects to have finalised all arrangements by the beginning of June.
