15 September 2006 – More support should be given to UK companies developing products made from recycled rubber, according to Rosehill Polymers.
The company, based in Sowerby Bridge, uses 3,600 tonnes of recycled tyre rubber annually, most of which is converted into products for the rail industry by a unique system which incorporates Rosehill’s own Flexilon polyurethane binder formulation.
Company chairman Michael Hopkinson said Rosehill has shown it is possible to employ used tyres as a valuable raw material to be turned into innovative products. But this has been done without the impetus of government-backed initiatives.
“Quite simply, I’d like to know why more is not being done to encourage the efforts of companies like ours,” he said.
“A fraction of the resources devoted to high-profile, consumer orientated schemes would be very welcome. While they capture the headlines for a day or two, many such schemes make little impact compared with what could be achieved through an industry-wide initiative.”
Sales director Alex Celik said leading recycling organisation Wrap is funding certain projects, such as the Holdfast Rubber Highway, which are expanding markets for used rubber. But he said there are many more applications which can be pursued, including rubber paving.
One difficulty for market growth in public works projects is the fragmented nature of decision-making at the local government level. Celik said a “top down approach” is needed to drive growth in large-scale applications using recycled rubber.
