The machinery of the Italian tire recycling equipment supplier Salvadori will be used to ensure operations of tire downsizing, and recycling of about 30,000 tons of earthmover tires per year.

The Michelin Group selected Salvadori Srl as the supplier for the downsizing system. This new-generation tire recycling plant is to be built in Chile; currently it is under construction in collaboration with Scandinavian Enviro Systems, a Swedish company that has developed a patented technology for recycling tires into recovered carbon black, oil, steel and gas using pyrolysis method. The plant will be based in Chile’s Antofagasta region.

Salvadori’s tire recycling technology will be used specifically to reduce the tire into pieces of predetermined dimensions which will then be further processed in the factory.

Salvadori Srl, established in Polo Meccatronica Rovereto since the start of the hi-tech Technological Centre of Trentino Sviluppo, is part of the American industrial group TRC – Tech Tire & Recycling Holding since 2016. The company can count on 27 employees and sells goods and products on foreign markets for an overall value equal to 97 percent of its turnover.

«The Michelin project - explains Luca Olcese, general manager of Salvadori - is innovative and very important for us. The fact that a giant of this caliber in tire manufacturing has decided to invest its own resources on a fully integrated recycling and processing plant is a very important sign for Salvadori, who is a pioneer in this industry. It strengthens us and opens incredible promises and business prospects. The world needs to solve this problem and we are present ».

The tires of earthmoving machinery, in fact, due to their large size represent a problem, especially in countries like Chile where there are many mines. Being able to dispose of and recycle them directly on site is a great achievement.

The machines designed and developed together with Michelin in the Trentino Sviluppo technological hub in Rovereto, where Salvadori is at home, constitute a complete cutting station and are of three types. The first is used to separate the sides of the tread, the second to remove the bead, or the steel core that forms the structure of the tire, while the last to cut into small pieces what remains from processing which will be used in downstream transformation processes.

Once tires are cut, they are ready to enter into a transformation process.

Michelin says it will be fully responsible for the construction of the machinery, its installation and the training of its staff in Chile.

«Salvadori was chosen - emphasizes Olcese - through a long selection process where we highlighted our creativity and innovative power, demonstrating how Salvadori’s solutions are the most efficient and effective on the market. Collaborating with such an important partner is a great pride for us and gives us the direction in continuing the development of our technology towards ever greater automation and effectiveness».

About Salvadori

Salvadori is a globally recognized company, with active client recycling facilities in 47 Countries. Salvadori’s success led to the acquisition in 2016, by TRC a U.S.-based multinational company.

TRC has a portfolio of companies that are global leaders in the production of tire and wheel service products, conveyor belt repair products and tire retreading products. Salvadori is TRC’s lead recycling company and helps TRC fulfill their 4R vision of Repair, Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose.