City-based scientists discover new eco-friendly process to extract nylon from discarded tyres which were burnt.
Waste tyres which have gone past their expiry date need not be burnt or abandoned anymore. Scientists from the CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL) have come up with a process by which nylon fibres can be extracted from waste tyres. The chemical process is said to be eco-friendly, and scientists claim it will help curb air pollution in the country.
Explaining the procedure, which was the result of seven months of extensive research at the institute, Dr Bhaskar Idage, who headed the group, told Mirror, “Initially, we clear rubber layers off the tyre. Thereafter, we dissolve the tyre waste in a chemical solvent. This process ensures that ingredients that exist in a tyre like additives and stabilisers get separated by filtration, while nylon remains in the filtrate. Pure nylon is then separated from the filtrate by a special technique.”
Idage further added that presently there are private units in Gujarat which extract furnace oil from the used tyres. “However, these units release carbon particles in the air and emit a foul odour due to the formation of methane gas during the process. It creates environmental issues in the area.” he added.
Officials of the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) have welcomed this process, saying it will help curb pollution. “Some units burn tyres for oil, releasing smoke that contains harmful gases and chemicals. These gases are hazardous to both humans and the environment,” said P K Mirashe, Assistant Secretary (Technical) of the MPCB.