The VALUE-RUBBER project have developed a new technology called Devulcore to devulcanize the tyre rubber. The DevulCore modular process have been successfully engineered. It has been defined the elements necessary for the modular prototype manufacturing as well as those for the efficiency system based on the previous devulcanization batch process. Dymotec have developed a microwave prototype and Synthelast have developed an extruder prototype, both, following the engineered layout.
The pilont plant to demonstrate the Devulcore technology have been completely assembled, and it is plenty functional. The pilot plant, also, has been tested and the issues founded were solved.
Six types of devulcanized rubber have been produced by Synthelast and processed by Borflex. These six types have been tested with extrusion and compress processes to produce profiles and compressed pieces.
A process optimization focus on the optimization of the energy consumption and the production cost has been carried out for the microwave and the extruder and also for the Value-Rubber products family.
Borflex has manufactured the following samples:
• By compresion mold:
◦ Hose
◦ Cap
◦ Diaphragm
◦ Rubber-frame
◦ Stopers
• By extrusion:
◦ Profiles
Also, test have been performed to the Value-Rubber family samples to ensure the quality achievement.
Samples have been showed to selected clients to receive feedback about the quality and performance.
Extensive communication and dissemination work has been carried out, including attendance at conferences, talks, media interviews, social networks, videos, newsletters and a presentation day.
Stakeholders and potential customers have been contacted to assess the interest of market players and an exploitation plan to spread the Devulcore technology have been implemented.
