Positive spin: as tire recycling grows in practice, a debate over terminology may follow.When Recycling Today presented its list of the 20 Largest Tire Recyclers in North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. in 2004, the intention was to present the handlers handlerspersons involved in the handling of, for example, circus animals. Includes grooms, milkers, herdsmen, strappers. Used mostly in referring to persons handling animals for show or auction. and processors of tires who prepared the scrap material for end consumers. Again this year, the majority of companies that handle large volumes of scrap tires are processors of whole tires who find varying end markets for the material, with the single largest one being the alternative energy market that consumes tire-derived fuel. In most other recycling segments, those along the chain starting with collection and including processing and brokerage have adopted the label of recycler. The company operating the furnace or pulping mill at the end of the process is most commonly known as the consumer. Michael Blumenthal, senior technical director with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA (RealMedia Architecture) See RealMedia. ), Washington, says the manufacturers of products that use the crumb rubber Crumb rubber is generally manufactured from automotive and truck scrap tires. During the manufacturing process steel and fluff is removed leaving tire rubber with a granular consistency. and tire shreds produced by scrap tire processors should reserve the "recyclers" label for themselves, since their ability to close the loop is what makes the rest of the processing steps feasible. RECYCLER OR CONSUMER? It can be hard to quantify whether uniform terminology is important within an industry. An argument can be made, though, that as any business grows and becomes more global, the notion of "everyone speaking the same language" becomes critical. In the longer-established metals and paper recycling Paper recycling is the process of recovering waste paper and remaking it into new paper products. There are three categories of paper that can be used as feedstocks for making recycled paper: mill broke, pre-consumer waste, and post-consumer waste. industries, scrap processors, paper packers and haulers who collect and sort curbside curb·side n. 1. The side of a pavement or street that is bordered by a curb. 2. A sidewalk. adj. Located, operating, or occurring at or along the sidewalk or curb: material are generally known as recyclers. The mills, foundries and smelters that melt or pulp the collected scrap have become known as consumers as far as the processing industry is concerned. Whether everyone in the collection-processing-manufacturing loop is pleased with how the terminology has evolved is debatable de·bat·a·ble adj. 1. Being such that formal argument or discussion is possible. 2. Open to dispute; questionable. 3. In dispute, as land or territory claimed by more than one country. . Paper making and metals producing companies that have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in equipment that allows them to turn scrap metal or paper into new products may wonder aloud whether should rightfully be considered the recyclers of these materials. But as things stand with the accepted glossary A term used by Microsoft Word and adopted by other word processors for the list of shorthand, keyboard macros created by a particular user. See glossaries in this publication and The Computer Glossary. , a broker or buyer in Asia most often uses a common terminology with trading partners in North America as to who is the consumer, the broker or the processor. A universal lexicon is in place. In the still developing tire recycling Tire recycling is the process of recycling vehicles tires (or tyres) that are no longer suitable for use on vehicles due to wear or irreparable damage (such as punctures). sector, there may still be room for debate, and the RMA's Blumenthal is among those who would like to see some discussion. "Tire recyclers would be companies that make products out of the scrap tire stream, says Blumenthal. "It's more than just semantics semantics [Gr.,=significant] in general, the study of the relationship between words and meanings. The empirical study of word meanings and sentence meanings in existing languages is a branch of linguistics; the abstract study of meaning in relation to language or . If you look at the definitions from a third-party view, processing is not the same as recycling." Blumenthal is reluctant to put makers of tire-derived fuel (TDF (language) TDF - An intermediate language, a close relative of ANDF. A TDF program is an ASCII stream describing an abstract syntax tree. TDF became part of TenDRA in abut 2001. ) into the recycling category. "That is energy recovery, but it is not recycling," he remarks. Similarly, he considers civil engineering applications as a form of reuse reuse - Using code developed for one application program in another application. Traditionally achieved using program libraries. Object-oriented programming offers reusability of code via its techniques of inheritance and genericity. , but not recycling. "Making tires into new products such as rubber sidewalks or mats--that is a recycling activity," Blumenthal states. He also acknowledges that there are some blurry lines as well. Blumenthal considers tires melted at electric arc furnace An electric arc furnace (EAF) is a furnace that heats charged material by means of an electric arc. Arc furnaces range in size from small units of approximately one ton capacity (used in foundries for producing cast iron products) up to about 400 ton units used for secondary steel mills as a form of recycling since new steel is being manufactured, and he is uncertain where to put rubberized mulch mulch, any material, usually organic, that is spread on the ground to protect the soil and the roots of plants from the effects of soil crusting, erosion, or freezing; it is also used to retard the growth of weeds. or crumb rubber placed at athletic fields in the recycling spectrum, labeling them "in-between" markets. Ultimately, Blumenthal says he is not out to alienate To voluntarily convey or transfer title to real property by gift, disposition by will or the laws of Descent and Distribution, or by sale. For example, a seller may alienate property by transferring to a buyer a parcel of the seller's land containing a house, in any of the critical steps in the recycling process. "We are all in the recycling business," he comments. "You can't get there without the intermediate steps." He is hopeful, though, that by allowing manufacturers who put the highest value on scrap tires to adopt the "recycler" label, this will help cause a greater separation between disposal and a marketable commodity. "We have to be very careful about what the view of the industry is and our level of credibility." THE 2006 MODEL. In both the 2004 version of Recycling Today's list of the "20 Largest Tire Recyclers in the North America" and in this year's version, there is a mixture of companies in different parts of the recycling chain. Since the list is based on the volume of tires handled, companies that collect scrap tires, or perhaps even clean up stockpiles and then process them into TDF or another marketable product are the most common type of business on the list. Some of these companies engage in additional value-added steps in the process, including several that make crumb rubber and a few that create manufactured products. Many of the same companies that appeared on the 2004 list are back for this year's edition, although the one most notably missing is the former Recovery Technologies Group (RTG RTG abbreviation for ready to go; used in medical records. ), Gutenberg, N.J. That company shuttered shut·ter n. 1. One that shuts, as: a. A hinged cover or screen for a window, usually fitted with louvers. b. its operations and liquidated DAMAGES, LIQUIDATED, contracts. When the parties to a contract stipulate for the payment of a certain sum, as a satisfaction fixed and agreed upon by them, for the not doing of certain things particularly mentioned in the agreement, the sum so fixed upon is called liquidated damages. (q.v. before 2004 had ended. One of the few publicly traded companies publicly traded company A company whose shares of common stock are held by the public and are available for purchase by investors. The shares of publicly traded firms are bought and sold on the organized exchanges or in the over-the-counter market. on the list, GreenMan Technologies Inc., has been struggling to produce black ink on its balance sheet for the last couple of years and is now divesting itself of operations. Although the company's 2005 totals afford it a place on this year's list, the sell-off of operations in Tennessee and Georgia will probably mean a major reduction in the number of PTEs it handles in the future. As the company continues to divest To deprive or take away. Divest is usually used in reference to the relinquishment of authority, power, property, or title. If, for example, an individual is disinherited, he or she is divested of the right to inherit money. and write-down assets, speculation also centers on whether GreenMan can remain viable. FUTURE THOUGHTS. One approach being considered for the future of this list is to create two separate lists--one for processors who shred whole tires and another for manufacturing companies that use tire shreds or crumb rubber to make new products. On the positive side, this approach may help call attention to some of the manufacturers who did not make this list for volume reasons. Among the challenges to consider, however, are whether to include some companies on both lists, and also whether TDF consumers such as cement kiln Cement kilns are used for the pyroprocessing stage of manufacture of Portland and other types of hydraulic cement, in which calcium carbonate reacts with silica-bearing minerals to form a mixture of calcium silicates. operators deserve to be part of one of the lists. Readers interested in offering an opinion on how they would like to see this list presented in the future are urged to contact the author at btaylor@gie.net. Additionally, readers who are aware of a company that should have appeared on this list or is a candidate for a future list are encouraged to call or email the magazine. Although there is plenty of room to debate just how this list should be presented, the magazine's editors believe lists such as this one can help the industry have a clearer picture of who are the largest processors and recyclers of scrap tires. RELATED ARTICLE: Overseas attention. A number of recent transactions have involved European companies It may never be fully completed or, depending on its its nature, it may be that it can never be completed. However, new and revised entries in the list are always welcome. This is a list of companies from the countries in the European Union. purchasing or developing tire recycling assets in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. This March, Netherlands-based Granuband B.V. acquired Dash Recycled Rubber Inc. (DRRI DRRI Deluxe Reverb Reissue (Fender) DRRI Defense Race Relations Institute DRRI Digital Radio Research Inc. ) of Macon, Mo. The new subsidiary has been named Granuband-Macon LLC (Logical Link Control) See "LANs" under data link protocol. LLC - Logical Link Control . According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. a release from Granuband. "The company will continue the same activities with the personnel who are already employed at DRRI." Granuband's three operations combined--two in Netherlands plus the newly acquired Missouri facility--recycle some 12 million PTEs (passenger tire equivalents) annually. The Granuband-Macon plant will produce several sizes of shredded shred n. 1. A long irregular strip that is cut or torn off. 2. A small amount; a particle: not a shred of evidence. tr.v. rubber that can be used as fill material and as rubber mulch Rubber mulch is a type of mulch which provides several advantages over plant material based mulches. It is environmental-friendly, as it is made from 100% recycled rubber. It generally consists of either waste tire buffings or nuggets of rubber from tires that are ground up whole, after . RMD See Required minimum distribution. Americas LLC, Cocoa, Fla. has its roots in Spain but has been actively growing in the United States. In March of 2005, the company began setting up a manufacturing operation in Cocoa, Fla., designed to shred scrap tires it collects from sites throughout Florida RMD Americas is affiliated with Leon. Spain-based-RMD SA, a recycling company and manufacturer of tire shredding shred n. 1. A long irregular strip that is cut or torn off. 2. A small amount; a particle: not a shred of evidence. tr.v. equipment. In July of 2005, RMD Americas acquired majority ownership in Martin's Tire of Marion, Ky., and announced plans to expand one of its facilities. The author is editor of Recycling Today and can be contacted at btaylor@gie.net. 20 LARGEST TIRE RECYCLERS IN NORTH AMERICA Company Company CEO PTEs No. of Address or President Processed * Facilities Liberty Tire Jeffrey D. Kendall 37.5 million 6 Services LLC 625 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 GreenMan Bob Davis 22 million 6 Technologies Inc. 7 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940 Emanuel Tire Co. Norman J. Emanuel 12.5 million 5 1300 Moreland Ave., Baltimore, MD 21216 Tire Disposal & Mark W. Hope 11.3 million 32 Recycling Inc. P.O. Box 83478, Portland, OR 97283 CRM H. Barry Takallou 10 million 3 11400 E. Pecos, Queen Creek, AZ 85242 Lakin Tire East/West Robert Lakin 10 million 1 15305 Spring, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90676 Florida Tire Jack Wilson 6 million 1 Recycling Inc. 9675 Range Line, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 Meridian Guy Mozzicato 6 million 1 Operations LLC 1414 Norwich Rd., Plainfield, CT 06374 TIRES Inc. David Forrester 6 million 3 5170-C Indiana, Winston-Salem, NC 27107 BAS Recycling Inc. Hratch Sarkis 5 million 1 1400 N. H St., San Bernardino, CA 92405 RB Rubber Products Gregory J. Divis 4.5 million 3 904 E. 10th Ave., McMinnville, OR 97128 Integrated Tire Charles Piggot 4.4 million 1 333 Ganson St., Buffalo, NY 14203 Mac's Tire Recyclers Hal McPherson 4.2 million 1 Hwy. 145 North, Saltillo, MS 38866 Champlin Tire Gary Champlin 4.1 million 1 Recycling P.O. Box 445, Concordia, KS 66901 Golden By- Jim Barstow 4 million 1 Products Inc. 13000 Newport Rd., Ballico, CA 95303 Waste Recovery Mark Hope 3.9 million 4 West Inc. 372 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95831 Entech Inc. Neil Frey 3.6 million 1 69676 M-103, White Pigeon, MI 49099 Utah Tire Recyclers Joe Viland 3.5 million 1 1398 N. Beck St., Salt Lake City, UT 84116 Recycling Technologies Timothy J. Leighty 3.1 million 1 International LLC 60 Filbert St., Hanover, PA 17331 High Tread Derek Martin 3 million 1 International Ltd. 490 Ohio St., Lockport, NY 14094 Company Key Products/ Address End Markets Liberty Tire TDF; lightweight aggregate; Services LLC granulated rubber 625 Liberty Ave., Pittsburgh, PA 15222 GreenMan TDF; crumb rubber Technologies Inc. 7 Kimball Lane, Lynnfield, MA 01940 Emanuel Tire Co. TDF; horse arena and 1300 Moreland Ave., playground cover material Baltimore, MD 21216 Tire Disposal & TDF; civil engineering; crumb Recycling Inc. rubber; ground cover P.O. Box 83478, Portland, OR 97283 CRM Asphalt rubber; landscaping; 11400 E. Pecos, molded goods; turf Queen Creek, AZ 85242 Lakin Tire East/West TDF; civil engineering; crumb 15305 Spring, Santa rubber feedstock Fe Springs, CA 90676 Florida Tire Crumb rubber; TDF Recycling Inc. 9675 Range Line, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987 Meridian Mulch; crumb rubber; TDF Operations LLC 1414 Norwich Rd., Plainfield, CT 06374 TIRES Inc. Crumb rubber for molded 5170-C Indiana, products and infill; mulch Winston-Salem, NC 27107 BAS Recycling Inc. Granulated rubber for turf; 1400 N. H St., San playground surfacing; mats Bernardino, CA 92405 RB Rubber Products Playground; agriculture; 904 E. 10th Ave., fitness; cargo containment McMinnville, OR 97128 Integrated Tire TDF; crumb rubber; reusable 333 Ganson St., casings Buffalo, NY 14203 Mac's Tire Recyclers Chips for TDF Hwy. 145 North, Saltillo, MS 38866 Champlin Tire Manufactured products, Recycling including outdoor furniture P.O. Box 445, Concordia, KS 66901 Golden By- TDF; playground/landscape; Products Inc. athletic turf 13000 Newport Rd., Ballico, CA 95303 Waste Recovery TDF; crumb rubber; reusable West Inc. casings 372 Florin Rd., Sacramento, CA 95831 Entech Inc. TDF; septic and landfill drainage 69676 M-103, White material; crumb rubber Pigeon, MI 49099 Utah Tire Recyclers TDF; crumb rubber; alternative 1398 N. Beck St., daily landfill cover Salt Lake City, UT 84116 Recycling Technologies Automotive parts; bonded International LLC rubber/molded products 60 Filbert St., Hanover, PA 17331 High Tread Crumb rubber; tire wire steel; International Ltd. landscape mulch 490 Ohio St., Lockport, NY 14094 * = Passenger Tire Equivalents; Some figures are estimates provided by the company or based on previous responses; (1) = Figure is from before recent divestitures; (2) = Figure does not include four additional transportation hubs |
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