Oct 29 2007
Re-Tread Products Inc. (RTP), a company specializing in the creative re-use of old tires, announced today that it has received a patent on its revolutionary Tire Log TM, a product that engineers say could vastly improve--or even replace--some current methods of flood control, earthquake survivability, and homeland security due to its "bends but doesn't break" characteristics and its resistance to decay.
Material properties tests from an R&D study indicate that the Tire Log offers engineer contractors in the civil, municipal, military, construction, landscaping, and architectural fields a viable alternative to traditional materials of construction such as wood, rock or concrete. The Tire Log is being touted for a wide variety of uses because of its durability, as well as the fact that it is an environmentally-friendly building product.
The Tire Log manufacturing process offers a more energy efficient and environmentally-friendly solution than current recycling methods that are based on using powerful grinding machines to grind up waste tires to be burned as fuel, buried as fill, or used in high energy consuming re-manufactured products. Out of the 300million waste tires that were generated in the USA in 2006, 228 million tires were ground up, and 133 million of those were burned as tire-derived fuel, despite the inherent environmental and health costs.
RTP's recycling method is based on a simple energy efficient procedure that helically wraps the steel belted tread of the tire around a core of tire treads to essentially any length or diameter. The net result is a building material with unique benefits, combining the desirable characteristics of tire materials with the structural integrity provided by RTP's patented design.
Empire State Development's (ESD) Environmental Services Unit, which supports efforts to expand market capacity to reuse waste tires in value-added applications, provided $199,687 in funding for the research behind the Tire Log findings. "The Tire Log is a commendable example of the innovation that is emerging from Upstate New York with the help of ESD," said Amy Schoch, Sr. V.P., Manufacturing, Environmental and Small Business Programs, ESD. "We look forward to seeing how this product evolves."
Re-Tread Products and its Tire Log have already received support from New York Senators Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton. "This is a great Western New York Company making a great product out of recycled tires that will benefit the entire country," Schumer said.
In letters to R. David Paulison, Director for FEMA and Lieutenant General Carl A. Strock, Commanding Officer of the Army Corps of Engineers, Schumer wrote, "…I know that the federal government is hard at work in order to give those most at risk the best means of protection available. I believe the Tire Log TM could improve those protections while at the same time providing for the reuse of old tires. It is an opportunity not only to fight off the effects of Mother Nature when a storm strikes, but also to give back to Mother Nature by ensuring these tires do not end up in a landfill. I want to be sure you have the chance to examine this potential firsthand and look forward to working with you to build what I believe will be a highly successful relationship."
Senator Hillary Clinton has also expressed an interest in the Tire Log for its many possible applications as well as the obvious economical benefits of a new green industry that has its roots in Western New York. Her office recently contacted Army Corp personal in the Buffalo area in order to expedite RTP's efforts to bring the Tire Log and its applications to the attention of national and international users.
RTP has also contacted Habitat for Humanity with plans to develop a Tire Log house that could be replicated in areas prone to earthquakes and hurricanes. Low cost, ready availability of "raw materials", and durability could be an asset to the organization known for building low-cost, efficient and durable houses for those in need.
"Although Re- Tread Products has focused on the United States, discarded tires are a global problem. There are numerous worldwide applications for the Tire Log, because the product solves a major environmental problem, while simultaneously addressing other needs. It's a win-win-win," said Re- Tread Products Founder Thomas Hansen, who holds a B.S. in environmental science and has worked in the environmental field for nearly 30 years.
"We're pleased the Tire Log is getting so much attention and support. We look forward to seeing it address a variety of critical issues..."