Recovered Carbon Black Standard

ASTM International has published a new standard, D8632, that classifies recovered carbon black and brings consistency and transparency to the growing tire pyrolysis market.

A Common Language for Recovered Carbon Black

Recovered carbon black is a semi-reinforcing filler derived from post-consumer rubber products such as end-of-life tires and conveyor belts. Through thermal decomposition — the same pyrolysis process at the heart of modern tire pyrolysis plants — the feedstock is converted into oil, gas, and raw recovered carbon black. Subsequent post-processing steps refine that material into the final rCB product ready for compounding and resale.

How the D8632 Classification Works

Under D8632, materials are identified with the letter “R” to denote recovered carbon black, followed by two numeric classifications. The first number represents the class of toluene transmittance, while the second indicates the class of inorganic content. This simple, repeatable code lets a buyer assess a material’s purity and filler performance at a glance, removing much of the guesswork from procurement decisions.

Why a Recovered Carbon Black Standard Matters

ASTM’s D36 committee has emphasized that a formal classification system is essential for defining product categories and facilitating trade between recovered carbon black producers and buyers. Because the standard allows quality to be compared within a specific category rather than across the full range of rCB products, it also promotes fair competition among suppliers who would otherwise struggle to differentiate their material.

A Step Toward the Circular Economy

The standard’s proponents frame it as a concrete step toward a circular economy, in which end-of-life tires are transformed into valuable raw materials rather than waste. For plant developers and equipment operators, a recognized recovered carbon black standard lowers the friction in commercial conversations, supports consistent quality expectations, and strengthens the case for investment in new pyrolysis capacity.

What the Standard Means for Buyers and Compounders

For rubber compounders and tire manufacturers, the classification removes a long-standing barrier to adoption. Rather than evaluating recovered carbon black on ad hoc, producer-specific terms, buyers can now work from a shared technical reference that describes a material’s key attributes in a repeatable way. That consistency makes it easier to qualify rCB alongside conventional grades, blend it into existing recipes, and hold suppliers to clear specifications — the same disciplines buyers already apply to virgin carbon black.

Supporting the Wider Tire Circular Economy

The classification also signals the sector’s broader maturity. As end-of-life tire recovery scales up, the ability to describe and grade recovered carbon black in a standardized way underpins everything from long-term offtake agreements to quality-focused plant design. Operators who build their facilities around recovered carbon black production and consistent output specifications are best positioned to meet the market that D8632 helps define.

Learn More:

• Recovered Carbon Black Production and Processing
• Tire Pyrolysis Technology and Projects
• Pyrolysis Oil Recovery from End-of-Life Tires
• Feasibility Studies for Pyrolysis and rCB Plants
• Recovered Carbon Black Plant Cost and Quotations
• What Is Recovered Carbon Black?

Turn Tire Waste Into Recovered Carbon Black

A recognized recovered carbon black standard clears the path for quality comparisons, fair pricing, and confident procurement across the sector. Klean Industries helps operators design and develop pyrolysis and recovered carbon black facilities that meet these market expectations from day one.

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