While on a family holiday in Normandy, France this fall, I was reminded of the importance of what we do with CRT in a very unexpected way. Spread across the dunes of Normandy, relics of World War II stand as silent reminders of history. While we were remembering all those brave souls that fought here 80 years ago for the freedom of people they didn’t know and countries they never visited before, it also taught me, and my family, an unexpected lesson in durability and recycling. It’s striking to find that some 80-year-old tanks, having weathered decades of salt, sand, and storm, still retain rubber components, like their treads and tires remarkably intact. This astonishing longevity of rubber speaks to both its durability and its environmental footprint — qualities that carry profound implications today in industries like mining, where end-of-life rubber tires present both a challenge and an opportunity.
Mining truck tires are among the largest and toughest rubber products in existence, designed to withstand the roughest conditions and support enormous weights. But, unlike WWII tanks preserved in the sands of Normandy, used mining tires often meet a less dignified end, typically buried or left in landfills at mining sites. This practice, unfortunately common, is both a missed opportunity and a burden on the environment. Here’s where innovative companies like Circular Rubber Technologies come into play, transforming these behemoth tires into an opportunity to drive sustainability in heavy industry and close the circularity gap in the rubber industry.
At CRT we have pioneered processes for recycling end-of-life mining truck tires, aiming to redirect the tons of durable rubber away from landfills and back into usable materials. This process isn’t simply about disposal; it’s about creating a circular economy where the high-quality, durable rubber in these tires can be repurposed, rather than becoming an environmental hazard. The goal is to give this “forever rubber” an infinite re-use in products ranging from automotive parts, new tires and consumer goods aligning with sustainability initiatives and reducing the need to source virgin rubber.
The WWII tanks in Normandy serve as a compelling testament to rubber’s incredible durability, but they also highlight the environmental costs of creating materials that can endure for centuries in the toughest conditions. It serves as a reminder that, when left untouched, it is not a problem that resolves itself. With CRT’s circular approach and the mission to strive for the infinite reuse of the world’s rubber, there is an alternative pathway for the hundred thousand of end-of-life mining truck tires.
This approach benefits mining companies, the communities surrounding mines, and the environment. Every recycled tire helps reduce pollution, conserve resources, and supports a circular economy that values longevity without compromising sustainability. In essence, Circular Rubber Technologies is bringing us closer to a world where “forever materials” serve us well, over and over, rather than merely being relics of history buried in the sand.
So, when walking through the dunes of Normandy in a bleak autumn sun and explaining to my kids the importance of proper rubber recycling, I realized that sometimes looking back is the best way to see where the future should head: and with CRT’s innovative and chemical free rubber devulcanization process this is exactly what we are doing! Moving towards a circular future where rubber can be used over and over again.
