Tyre recycler Prism Worldwide has announced a trio of innovations, with key advancements in odour reduction, sustainable thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPV) development, and high-content Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) reuse, challenges it adds that have long been considered barriers to wider adoption of recycled materials in consumer and industrial products.
The US firm says all its materials are developed using non-capital-intensive processes that deliver lower costs compared to virgin materials, an especially relevant advantage in light of tariff uncertainties and the growing emphasis on domestic sourcing. This enables customers to achieve sustainability goals without increased cost, a particularly appealing value proposition in the industry.
It adds that customers can use Prism materials without changing the manufacturing process. These step changes introduce new ways to use up to 50% of recycled end-of-life tyre materials in injection or rotational moulding and extruding, a significant increase from what was previously possible.
This opens new processes that were formerly limited to compression moulding and enables companies to offer products such as gym mats and automotive interiors that are made using recycled materials but no longer produce unpleasant odours, a key customer benefit.
Prism’s new technology suite includes:
. Odour-reduced tyre materials: Prism’s proprietary odour-reduction process resolves one of the most persistent issues in rubber recycling. Historically, strong and lingering odours have limited the use of recycled tyre materials in indoor environments. Now, thanks to the company’s innovation, validated in an independent lab to automotive-grade odour panel testing and VOC requirements, its materials meet the requirements for automotive interiors, consumer products, building materials, and other odour-sensitive applications.
. Sustainable TPV from end-of-life tyres: Prism has developed a patent-pending sustainable TPV where the rubber portion is derived from end-of-life tyre materials. Prism’s technology will allow TPV manufacturers to offer sustainable solutions in extremely valuable polymers.
. High-content recycled EPDM: EPDM rubber is widely used in automotive weatherstripping and gaskets, roofing, and industrial applications, but it is difficult to recycle because it is crosslinked. Prism’s patent-pending devulcanisation process makes it possible to reuse EPDM at high content levels while delivering on key physical performance properties. This not only reduces material costs, but also significantly improves the sustainability profile of industries that rely on EPDM.