Image Credit, Julie Scheier, CGTN, Cape Town
In a story first reported by Julie Scheier, CGTN, Cape Town South Africa is making remarkable strides toward sustainability, a South African tyre-recycling company has found an innovative solution to one of the country’s pressing environmental challenges. By transforming old radial truck tires into crumb rubber, the Mathe Group is not only reducing landfill waste but also revolutionizing road construction.
South Africa, home to the largest road network in Africa, faces ongoing challenges with maintenance and upgrades due to heavy-duty traffic, high congestion, and harsh weather conditions. Traditionally, the tarred roads have relied on crude-based bitumen, a material that is increasingly scarce. Enter the Mathe Group’s crumb rubber, a game-changing addition to the mix that improves road durability and reduces reliance on bitumen.
Mehran Zarrebini, CEO of the Mathe Group, highlighted the longstanding history of rubberized roads in the country. “The utilization of rubber crumb in roads has been really pioneered in South Africa since the first road was developed around 1983 in Cape Town. But it’s been used extensively, especially since we started manufacturing at this facility in 2016,” he explained. Zarrebini emphasized that with the expansion of infrastructure projects, the demand for rubber crumb is poised to soar.
This innovative approach not only strengthens the roads but also minimizes cracking, especially in regions with extreme temperature variations. Additionally, Zarrebini pointed out its acoustic benefits, noting that roads built with rubber crumb generate less noise and have a reduced environmental impact.
The ripple effects of this technology extend beyond road construction. It has catalyzed the growth of a secondary industry focused on recycled tires, including exports to neighboring countries. Brian Upton-Smith, Managing Director of Witon Chemicals, described the burgeoning potential. “It’s an ever-growing market in two different areas…there’s a lot of value. As this market grows, the education will get better,” he said.
The Mathe Group’s collaboration with the government on a tire waste management program has been instrumental in this success. Over the past eight years, the company has diverted one million tires from landfills, created new jobs, and received funding to further expand operations.
As South Africa continues to grapple with environmental and infrastructural challenges, the Mathe Group’s work offers a shining example of how innovation and sustainability can align to create lasting impact.
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