Abu Dhabi Waste Management Center (Tadweer) announced the opening of its expanded used tyre recycling facility in Abu Dhabi. Operated in strategic partnership with the private sector, the facility aims to ensure the safe disposal of used tires to avoid public health and environmental risks.

To ensure the facility’s success, Tadweer has contracted with Tarheel Collecting Wastes LLC, an Abu Dhabi-based firm with over 10 years of expertise in waste management and environment services, as per the statement.

Under its partnership with Tadweer, Tarheel collects and cleans used tyres prior to their recycling and treatment at the dedicated facility. With a capacity to treat 70,000 tons of used tyres annually, the facility has recycled nearly 17,000 tons of tires since the beginning of 2020 until the end of its third quarter. In collaboration with its Italian partner, Tarheel has set up a new integrated automated plant that has increased its total facility capacity to 100,000 tons annually.

In expanding its used tyre recycling facility, Tadweer said it seeks to significantly reduce the health and environmental risks associated with burning tires which causes serious damage to water, soil, air and public health. 

Recycling of scrap tyres provides an excellent opportunity to use them as an alternative fuel in cement manufacturing. Scrap tires are used in cement kilns where they are burnt at high gas temperatures of 1000-1200 °C resulting in an instantaneous, complete, and non-smokeless tyre combustion. Tire-derived fuel (TDF) is more cost effective than fossil fuels, and helps preserve natural resources by reducing the dependence on fossil fuels. TDF allows cement manufactures to reduce emissions and production costs, turning scrap tyres from an environment and public health challenge to an efficient source of alternative energy.

“The opening of our expanded used tire recycling facility is aligned with Tadweer’s strategic objective of converting used tyres from an economic burden into a valuable economic resource. In addition to reducing the adverse effects of scrap tires on public health and the environment, the expanded facility will go a long way in saving energy and cutting related costs, said HE Dr Salem Al Kaabi, Director General of Tadweer.

“Tadweer will continue to utilise the latest recycling technologies and global best practices to achieve its goal of safeguarding public health, preserving environment and supporting the sustainable development of Abu Dhabi,” Al Kaabi added.