Plasticized plastic powder alleviates resource and environmental crisis
October 11 00:08:29, 2025
Waste tires, often referred to as "black pollution," have long posed a significant environmental challenge globally. Recycling these discarded tires remains a complex issue, with only about 10% of old tires being refurbished worldwide, and even less—around 5%—in China. Many used tires are either crushed into fine rubber powder for use in playgrounds or sports fields, while others are burned, stacked, or dumped in landfills, causing serious environmental damage. As the world’s largest consumer of rubber, China is facing an increasing rubber resource crisis. In response, a groundbreaking technology known as “HL production of rubber raw material complete sets of equipment using waste tires†has emerged. This innovation transforms waste tires into materials comparable to natural and synthetic rubber, offering a sustainable solution that promotes both resource efficiency and environmental protection.
Shanghai Honglei Fine Powder Complete Equipment Co., Ltd. recently announced a major breakthrough after a decade of research. The company has successfully developed a fully automated, closed-loop system that processes waste tires at room temperature, turning them into plasticized rubber powder that can replace traditional rubber sources. The world's first 10,000-ton plasticized rubber powder production line was launched last year in Jiangsu, marking a significant milestone in China's tire recycling efforts. This technology enables waste tires to be transformed into high-quality rubber products, serving as a model for large-scale recycling initiatives.
Cheng Yuan, vice president of the China Tire Renovation and Recycling Association, highlighted that this development could redefine global rubber sourcing. With natural and synthetic rubber now joined by this new third source, the industry is witnessing a paradigm shift. According to reports, the cost of producing this plasticized rubber powder ranges from 6,000 to 9,000 yuan per ton, making it competitive with traditional materials. Companies like Dayuan Taizhou Rubber General Plant have already adopted this technology, with some reporting that the material outperforms imported alternatives in certain performance metrics, significantly reducing production costs.
Li Jing, director of the Environmental Protection Department under the National Development and Reform Commission, emphasized the urgency of finding alternative rubber sources. China imports over 70% of its rubber, with annual consumption exceeding 5.5 million tons. Rising international rubber prices, now surpassing 30,000 yuan per ton, have placed heavy pressure on domestic manufacturers. Meanwhile, China produces over 430 million new tires annually, generating more than 140 million used tires each year. As the automotive industry expands, so does the environmental burden from waste tires.
To address these challenges, Shanghai-based Bao Guoping established Honglei Fine Powder Equipment Co., Ltd. in 1998. After years of R&D, the company developed the first normal-temperature, low-pressure fine powder technology, earning multiple patents. However, early versions of the material had limited applications due to poor reactivity. Recognizing the need for broader usage, Bao led further research, eventually developing a method to chemically modify vulcanized rubber powder, enabling it to be used in high-performance rubber products. This advancement has led to 10 core technologies and numerous national patent approvals.
Bao Guoping also proposed the concept of "industrial parks" to scale up waste tire recycling. By offering comprehensive services—from planning to equipment—Honglei aims to create efficient, large-scale recycling ecosystems. Several projects are currently underway, including a 20,000-ton park in Suzhou, a 30,000-ton facility in Shanxi, and a 100,000-ton base in Xiangyang. These initiatives signal a growing commitment to transforming waste tire recycling into a sustainable, profitable industry.
Bao is confident that tire recycling will become a major sector in the future. To achieve this, he emphasizes three key areas: expanding applications in agricultural and industrial tires, partnering with global tire brands, and establishing the material as an internationally recognized rubber standard for futures market trading. With continued innovation and strategic development, waste tires may soon be seen not as a problem, but as a valuable resource.