Plasticized plastic powder alleviates resource and environmental crisis
October 11 00:17:36, 2025
Waste tires, often referred to as "black pollution," have long been a global environmental challenge. Their recycling remains one of the most complex issues in waste management. Globally, only about 10% of old tires are refurbished, and in China, this number is even lower at around 5%. Many used tires are either crushed into fine rubber powder for use in playgrounds or sports fields, while others are burned, stockpiled, or dumped, causing serious environmental damage. As the world's largest consumer of rubber, China is facing a growing rubber resource crisis. In response, a groundbreaking technology called “HL Production of Rubber Raw Material Complete Sets of Equipment Using Waste Tires†has emerged.
This innovative system transforms waste tires into materials that can rival both natural and synthetic rubber. By rethinking traditional tire processing methods, the technology produces a plasticized rubber powder that not only enhances resource efficiency but also supports environmental protection. It opens up a third source of rubber for China’s rubber industry, reducing dependency on imports and addressing the country’s rising demand.
Shanghai Honglei Fine Powder Complete Equipment Co., Ltd. has made significant progress over the past decade. The company successfully developed a fully automated, closed-loop process that crushes waste tires at room temperature, turning them into high-quality rubber powder. This material can now replace natural and synthetic rubber in various applications. In Jiangsu, the world's first 10,000-ton plasticized rubber powder production line was launched last year, marking a major milestone in waste tire recycling.
Cheng Yuan, vice president of the China Tire Renovation and Recycling Association, noted that this technology is rewriting the history of rubber recycling. With the ability to produce different types of rubber powder priced between 6,000 to 9,000 yuan per ton, it offers a competitive alternative to traditional rubber sources. Companies like Dayuan Taizhou Rubber General Plant have already adopted this material, finding it superior to imported alternatives in some cases and significantly lowering production costs.
According to Li Jing from the National Development and Reform Commission, China imports over 70% of its rubber raw materials, with annual consumption exceeding 5.5 million tons. With international rubber prices soaring above 30,000 yuan per ton, domestic companies are under increasing pressure. At the same time, China produces over 430 million new tires annually, generating more than 140 million used tires each year. As the automotive industry expands, the environmental and resource challenges posed by waste tires are becoming more urgent.
In 1998, Bao Guoping, a scientist from Shanghai, founded Honglei Fine Powder Equipment Co., Ltd. After eight years of research, the company developed the first normal-temperature, low-pressure fine powder technology. However, early products had limited application due to their poor performance. To address this, Bao led a team to develop advanced techniques for modifying vulcanized rubber powder using physical and chemical treatments. The resulting plasticized rubber powder can now be used in high-end rubber products or as a full replacement for natural and synthetic rubber in mid-range applications.
With 10 core technologies and multiple national patents, the project is gaining momentum. Bao Guoping has also proposed a new model: establishing industrial parks focused on tire recycling. These parks would provide comprehensive support, from planning to equipment manufacturing, offering a fast and efficient way to scale up the industry.
Several large-scale projects are now underway, including a 20,000-ton park in Suzhou, a 30,000-ton facility in Shanxi, and a 100,000-ton base in Xiangyang. In Taizhou, a 10,000-ton cold-mixing rubber production base and compounding center are being developed.
Bao Guoping believes that waste tire recycling will become a new and sustainable industry. To achieve this, he emphasizes three key areas: promoting agricultural and vehicle tire applications, entering partnerships with global tire brands, and establishing international standards for rubber trading. With continued innovation and strategic development, the future of tire recycling looks promising.