Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Various types of tire recycling have been kicked around for years, but one method that might top them all was presented Tuesday in Warsaw.
Representatives of a Goshen company that is working with a group of Russians say they've got a machine that can process rubber into a fine enough substance that allows it to be transformed into reusable quality rubber products.
Researchers have found plenty of uses for recycled rubber, but have never been able to grind it small enough to use as a filler agent with new rubber products.
But Jan Zolman, director of engineering for Western Consolidated Technologies, said the Russian group has found an "embarrassingly simple" process to accomplish that goal.
Western Technologies and the Russians are currently conducting a patent search to ensure the product is protected. That process could be complete within four months.
Details of the emerging technology were highlighted Tuesday during a meeting hosted by Taxpayers Action Network, which has taken an interest in the ongoing concerns of G&M Recycling, the tire dump in Atwood.
The new process breaks down the rubber to a fine dust by using pressure and heat. No chemicals are introduced into the process and the end result doesn't create any waste products or pollution, representatives said.
The process permits the rubber to be de-vulcanized - that is to break down the material's components to a much simpler level, said Neil Benham, technical manager for Western Consolidated Technologies.
As a result, the bonding properties are much stronger than those currently available, they said.
Zolman said he is confident that eventually the new technology "will open up a whole new realm of polymers in the industry."
G&M Recycling owner Garry Baker attended the meeting, but did not speak publicly about the proposal.
G&M is currently the subject of a state mandated clean-up after private sector efforts to remove the millions of tires fell apart last year.
TAN officials have criticized the state for spending large amounts of public money on a project that could be resolved through the private sector.
Company officials, including their Russian counterparts, sponsored a private demonstration of the process in Warsaw last month.
A summary of the new technology has been presented to the Indiana Department of Commerce, which continues to review viable ways of recycling waste tires.
State officials estimate there are 167 illegal tire dumps in Indiana.
During the group's earlier visit, Ramada Inn provided free accommodations and Explorer Van provided transporation, according to Don Miller, spokesman for TAN.
