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Degradable Elastomers: Is There a Future in Tyre Compound Formulation?
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This review explores whether degradable rubber compounds could be incorporated into tire formulations to reduce end-of-life tire waste. Researchers found that while some degradable elastomers show promise, achieving the mechanical performance required for tires remains a major challenge. The paper identifies key research directions for developing more sustainable tire materials.
Problems related to non-biodegradable waste coming from vulcanized rubber represent one of the pre-eminent challenges for modern society. End-of-life tyres are an important source of this typology of waste and the increasingly high accumulation in the environment has contributed over the years to enhance land and water pollution. Moreover, the release into the environment of non-degradable micro-plastics and other chemicals as an effect of tyre abrasion is not negligible. Many solutions are currently applied to reuse end-of-life tyres as a raw material resource, such as pyrolysis, thermo-mechanical or chemical de-vulcanisation, and finally crumbing trough different technologies. An interesting approach to reduce the environmental impact of vulcanised rubber wastes is represented by the use of degradable thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) in tyre compounds. In this thematic review, after a reviewing fossil fuel-based TPEs, an overview of the promising use of degradable TPEs in compound formulation for the tyre industry is presented. Specifically, after describing the properties of degradable elastomers that are favourable for tyres application in comparison to used ones, the real scenario and future perspectives related to the use of degradable polymers for new tyre compounds will be realized.
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Despite its title referencing biodegradable elastomers, this paper reviews the development of sustainable rubber-like polymer materials as alternatives to conventional synthetic rubbers — not microplastic pollution. It examines the chemistry of bio-based and degradable elastomers and is not specifically relevant to microplastics or human health, though reducing persistent synthetic rubber in consumer products could have long-term environmental benefits.
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This review examines bacterial and enzymatic degradation of natural rubber, which is widely used in tires and generates micro-plastics during end-of-life disposal. The authors highlight biotechnological approaches as eco-friendly alternatives to chemical rubber recycling, with implications for reducing tire-derived microplastic pollution.
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This review examines current practices for utilizing waste rubber from tires and other sources in infrastructure and geoenvironmental engineering applications, covering both technical performance and sustainability considerations. The high resistance of vulcanized rubber to degradation makes developing novel bulk utilization strategies urgent for reducing waste rubber accumulation.
From elastomer microstructure to thermomechanically damaged nanocomposites: an insight into the parameters influencing the biodegradability of rubbers by natural microbial consortia
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Researchers examined how the complex rubber microstructure of tire and road wear particles—including carbon black, silica, and polymer cross-links—governs resistance to biodegradation by natural microbial consortia, finding that thermomechanical damage during road use alters particle morphology but that TRWP remain largely persistent beyond two years in environmental conditions.
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Researchers developed a vulcanized rubber made from unsaturated polyesters that can be chemically recycled via solvolysis into its constituent monomers at over 90% recovery, and also undergoes partial biodegradation under environmental conditions, addressing the long-standing recyclability barrier of conventional cross-linked rubbers used in tires.
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