Separating Rubber/Plastics
in Automotive Shredder Residue

Two organizations are conducting process development projects for rubber and plastics separation from automotive shredder residue (ASR) using different approaches, according to Robert Coffey, a member of the Vehicle Recycling Development Center's (VRDC) Collaborators Group.

MBA Polymers, Inc., Richmond, CA is working with the non-ferrous stream from Huron Valley Steel using density sortation to generate rubber-rich and plastics-rich fraction. Although the economics are not known Mike Biddle, president of MBA, believes the process is getting close to the competitive edge and is ready for commercialization.

Salt Lake City, UT-based Recovery Plastics International starts with ASR using successive froth flotation steps to separate several plastics fractions and one rubber fraction. The study, which is more than a year from completion, was recently endorsed by the VRDC and the American Plastics Council. For more information contact, MBA Polymers (510) 704-7585 or Recovery Plastics International (801) 973-4774.

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