Due to the more intensive introduction of the principles of sustainability and circularity at the global level, the transformation of used car tires into a valuable resource appears to be an interesting example of the life cycle transformation of a product. At the centre of this idea is Recovered Carbon Black (RCB) which is a sustainable and environmentally conscious replacement for the black pigment used in a wide range of industries such as rubber, plastics and ink production. RCB is created by recycling used tires or other items that go through specialized treatments such as thermal or chemical processes.

By exploiting the potential of used car tires, which are mostly discarded as waste, RCB Nanotechnology Ltd Sarajevo represents an excellent example of the circular economy in action, offering a greener alternative to traditional production methods. This means not only reducing waste but also mitigating environmental impact as we embark on a transformative journey towards recycling for industries around the world.

IWe asked representatives of RCB Nanotechnology Ltd Sarajevo, multiple questions and received following answers:  

► Where is "Recovered Carbon Black" applied??

"RCB Nanotechnology Ltd Sarajevo is engaged in the production of renewed carbon black, a specific black pigment without which numerous industrial branches are unthinkable - the industry for the production of rubber, plastic, paints, varnishes, etc. It is mostly used in the tire industry - almost 90%, while approximately 10% is used as a basic raw material in the production of plastics, toners, coatings and inks. To put it simply, carbon black is the building material of every product that contains the black colour - from the cars, furniture and IT equipment we use, to the clothes and shoes we wear!

To a lesser extent, the portfolio will also include products based on silicon dioxide and zinc, which are used in the production of paints and varnishes, in construction materials, plastics, pharmaceutical products, etc.

The main raw material for production comes from materials that are at the end of their useful life, for example from worn-out car tires, which on average contain approximately 3 kg of polluted carbon black. We expect the start of production at the end of the current year. In the first phase of production, we expect one line to produce around 400 kg of renewed carbon black every hour, which is 2,500 tons per year, while later, the annual capacity should grow to approximately 30,000 tons".

► How does RCB Nanotechnology Ltd Sarajevo integrate the principles of the circular economy into its operations?

"The objective of the circular economy, of which this company is a part, is to return materials from products at the end of their useful life to a new product. In this case, it is renewed carbon black, which we produce in a self-sustaining and environmentally safe way, and we create new values ​​without a CO2 footprint. This company represents the first, but also one of the rare projects in the world that is completely circular, respectively in which 100% of the products at the end of their useful life are again and completely used.

But how do we do it? We will explain this on a simple example: after the primary processing of a car tire that is at the end of its useful life and the separation of iron and oil, raw carbon black is separated and processed in a special technological process to obtain renewed carbon black, ready for use.

To put it simple, we solve the nature of the product at the end of its useful life, and in a process that leaves no carbon footprint, we get a clean product, which by the further use in different industries additionally reduces CO2 emissions in any part of the world in which it is being used.“

► Koje strategije koristi ova kompanija za produženje životnog ciklusa proizvoda i olakšavanje njihove ponovne upotrebe ili recikliranja? 

„Proces proizvodnje u ovoj kompaniji je jedinstven i inovativan budući da je riječ o patentu koji je razvijen u saradnji s Fraunhofer institutom iz Njemačke. RCB Nanotehnologija ima ekskluzivnu svjetsku licencu za industrijalizaciju procesa i plasiranje novih proizvoda na tržište. Zahvaljujući tome, postali smo prva kompanija u svijetu koja koristi nanotehnologiju u proizvodnji obnovljenog carbon blacka tj. proizvodimo obnovljeni materijal koji se ponovo može koristiti na isti način kao i originalna sirovina.“

► What strategies does this company use to extend the life cycle of products and to facilitate their reuse or recycling?

"The first kilograms of renewed carbon black were produced in the plant of this company in Vogošća in August last year in the production test phase. We gained a product of the expected quality and purity, and we have already had the opportunity to test it in the production of new car tires. We are extremely pleased and it is important to emphasize that the tests showed that these tires have the same performance as the so-called standard tires, which assures us that we are on the right track. We are now rapidly moving towards the completion of the installation of the industrial plant and the start of production, which we expect in the last quarter of 2024.

We must not forget that the manufacturers in the industry have committed themselves to switch to the use of sustainable materials by 2050 at the latest. That enormously increases the demand for our product, and presents us with the challenge of opening as many production facilities as possible in the shortest possible time, all over the world.

At the same time, we are actively promoting the benefits of using recycled carbon black in order to encourage the global application of our technology, with an emphasis on the environmental and economic benefits and the contribution to reducing waste and CO2 emissions."

►  What are the concrete results with which this company contributes to environmental protection?

"The annual demand for carbon black at the world level is approximately 15 million tons. In order to meet these needs, 30 million tons of fossil resources are used. To put it simple, without this technology, the world's carbon black needs are met by burning fossil fuels. In this process, one ton of carbon black uses 1.5 tons of raw materials from fossil fuels and a large amount of water, and during the combustion process it releases between 2.5 and 3 tons of CO2, which contributes to the release of greenhouse gases and related environmental problems. We calculated that our technology reduces the emission of 2.5 tons of CO2 for every ton of product, which is the equivalent of 100 planted trees.

Secondly, the further use of our product in various industries additionally affects the reduction of CO2 emissions because it is a "clean" product.

Thirdly, we are setting free the nature from the unnecessary - approximately 4 billion old tires are in landfills around the world, and that number increases every year by approximately 1.8 billion new worn-out tires. Additionally, landfills full of polluted carbon black are created.

How do we do that? Namely, we offer our partners the option that after the primary processing of used tires and the extraction of iron and oil, they sell the raw carbon black to us, respectively to get rid of the by-product, which they have no use for. Such carbon black cannot be used again in the production of tires or other products, but is burned or stored. This is where our patent comes in and the company that takes and returns that carbon black back to its original state in a special pyrolysis technological process that does not harm the environment and is carried out according to strict ecological standards. We have closed the circle of the circular economy of a car tire, as the final piece that the industry was missing. In other words, we offer a win-win option for both mutual business and environmental protection.

RCB has the objective to reduce 12.75 million end-of-life car tires and 8.25 million CO2 emissions per year!

Calculations are that replacing 50% of the world's needs for carbon black with renewed carbon black would save 15 million tons of fossil resources and reduce CO2 emissions by 23 million tons per year.“

►  Are there other partnerships or initiatives in which this company is involved that concern the application of circular economy practices?

"RCB Nanotechnology is part of an alliance of industrial partners (DLR Köln, Fraunhofer IBP, BBG, RCB, E-Lyte, UniverCell, Zeppelin) called Kolibri, which launched a pan-European joint project (BMWi) to develop sustainable lithium-ion battery components. Our regenerated carbon black plays a critical role in replacing battery anode materials. In addition to the parent company in Bosnia and Herzegovina, we have already established partnerships in the regions of Japan, North America, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, India and Thailand, where we plan to start projects this year, and we are also taking steps to expand our business to other parts of the world."

RCB Nanotechnology Ltd represents more than just a simple manufacturing company; on the contrary, it acts as a leader in sustainable innovation. Through its innovative approach to the production of carbon black, RCB Nanotechnology is actively engaged in solving the pressing environmental challenges of today.

Using advanced technologies and processes, CO2 emissions are not only reduced, but significant amounts of tire waste are diverted from landfills, effectively closing the circle of the circular economy. This commitment to environmental responsibility is truly necessary in today's world, where advancing climate changes demand innovative solutions.

Furthermore, their influence reaches far beyond the headquarters in Sarajevo. Through strategic partnerships and initiatives, RCB Nanotechnology Ltd is ready to expand its influence across borders, offering a path to a greener and more sustainable future.

What is perhaps the most important to mention at the end, RCB Nanotechnology Ltd serves as proof of the power of innovation and cooperation in initiating positive change. As we look to the future, companies like this give us hope for a world where environmental management and economic prosperity go hand in hand, and where sustainability is not just a goal but a way of life.