Turkey – Nanografen, a partner of Graphene Flagship in Turkey, is making significant strides in producing graphene from waste tyres with the goal of improving recycling systems and making automotive vehicles more eco-friendly.
By using waste tyres as a starting material and applying recycling and upcycling technology for mass production in the plastic industry, Nanografen is lowering the cost of graphene production, making it a more viable option for various industries.
Nanografen’s innovative work shows high market and environmental potential. Waste tyres pose significant problems in recycling due to their large volume and ecologically hazardous components. Burning waste tyres as a means of disposal generates toxic chemicals like carbon monoxide and sulphur oxides, while tyre graveyards take up an increasing amount of space worldwide. Mechanical recycling of tyres does not occur on a large enough scale to tackle the problem sufficiently, while thermal recycling techniques are not efficient. Therefore, repurposing waste tyres creates a market opportunity for Nanografen.
Prototypes
Conversion of waste tyres to recycled carbon black and graphene opens up possibilities for graphene to become an impactful part of the thermoplastic composites market, which is used across a variety of industries, including aerospace, textiles, automotive, construction, energy storage, renewable energy, and flame retardants.
Nanografen has already developed prototypes for graphene-reinforced lightweight automotive parts, specifically for use in modern electric vehicles. For example, in partnership with compounder Ravago, Nanografen is now an official supplier of Renault, with their graphene-reinforced front end carrier part being validated by Renault for use in some of their vehicles.
Eco-friendly solutions
Graphene-reinforced lightweight automotive parts are a significant development for the automotive industry, as they are cost-effective and lightweight enough to help reduce overall vehicle weight, thereby reducing the amount of energy or oil needed to power the vehicle, making them more eco-friendly.
Nanografen’s innovative work has already gained recognition, with the company being among the finalists for the prestigious Innovation Awards at JEC World 2023.
Other Nanografen-based products under commercialization include a graphene-reinforced recycled washing machine pulley and graphene-reinforced flexible polyurethane foams for sound insulation.
Nanografen’s revolutionary work in producing graphene from waste tyres shows the potential for eco-friendly, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions in various industries. As the world grapples with the problem of waste management, Nanografen’s work provides a beacon of hope for creating a circular economy where waste is repurposed for valuable resources.
