Manufacturing Today Issue - 218 November 2023 | Page 75

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Barco
As a custom mixer of rubber compounds , continuous improvement is key
developing methodology to be able to reprocess uncured rubber , removing the carbon black and oil through pyrolysis .”
With no established consensus on how to optimize pyrolysis , Barco has invested in a test reactor to bring the technology to fruition . “ We ’ re hoping to be processing upwards of 1000-to-2000 tons of rubber every month in our Georgia facility by the middle of 2024 , and we ’ ve invested in a test reactor to explore every possible theory with the goal of establishing the optimum methodology ,” Ian reveals .
“ We ’ re processing all sorts of different catalysts with varying temperatures and using different additives to find the very best way of separating the particles while keeping the performance of such particles intact ,” he adds . “ Once it ’ s successfully established , we ’ ll multiply these pyrolysis sites across the US to widen the reach of the technology and combat the industry ’ s problem of waste .”
Looking to the future , Mike reveals Barco ’ s imminent plans . “ As a custom mixer of rubber compounds , continuous improvement is key , so we ’ re always on the lookout for ways to improve our efficiency ,” he concludes . “ We ’ ve recently invested $ 10 million in a new mixing line and several other pieces of equipment including a dust collector to keep the plant clean and enhance our efficiency . We are also in the early stages of adding a recycling facility next door to our existing mixing plant , in another investment of over $ 10 million .” ■
www . barco-us . com
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