Wedoany.com Report on Mar 10th, The Empire State Development (ESD), New York State's primary economic development agency, has announced a $2.36 million investment to support six technology research projects aimed at enhancing the reuse, retreading, and recycling of scrap tires in New York State. This funding includes $1.4 million in state capital provided through the New York State Scrap Tire Program, which is managed by the Rochester-based Remade Institute and is scheduled for full implementation in 2025.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, the state generates approximately 18 to 20 million scrap tires annually. The New York State Scrap Tire Program, serving as a local implementation case of the global circular economy initiative, is dedicated to processing this waste through technological innovation. Hope Knight, President, CEO, and Commissioner of ESD, stated, "New York is turning an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. Through the New York State Scrap Tire Program and our partnership with Remade, we are supporting innovative technologies to reuse, remanufacture, and recycle scrap tires—advancing circular economy solutions while helping grow New York’s clean tech and advanced manufacturing sectors."

The six projects were selected by Remade in consultation with ESD following a formal competitive review process. A request for proposals was issued in September, with submissions closing in November. All projects are required to have in-state partners to ensure a source of scrap tires. Remade CEO Nabil Nasr noted, "These projects not only aim to address the challenges associated with these scrap tires but also develop innovative technologies to increase their reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, creating economic value for New York State. The New York State Scrap Tire Program is a significant step in the right direction, with the potential to serve as a model for other states to follow. Through this program and more, the Empire State is quickly emerging as a leader in the circular economy in the United States."

The specific projects include: A physics-based machine learning model to estimate remaining useful life of commercial vehicle tires for retreading, with partners Michelin North America, Northwestern University, and Pitt Ohio Supply Chain; AI-driven scrap tire processing feedstock intelligence, with partner Fusion One and S&M Tire Recycling; Advancing matrix tire rubber devulcanization technology, exploring catalysts and product refining, with partner Prism Worldwide; Automation in the manufacturing of large-scale devulcanized rubber powder, with partners including Tire Conversion Technologies, Rochester Institute of Technology, and others; Ultrasonic devulcanization of scrap tire rubber for injection-molded construction products, with partners The University of Akron and Rubberform Recycled Products; and Production of cargo trailer floor mats, with partners including Liberty Tire Recycling, Prism Worldwide, and others. These initiatives are expected to improve the recycling efficiency of scrap tires and promote the development of a circular economy.