This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project proposes a novel technology for an economical conversion of waste tire rubber into a unique ?two-in-one? fertilizer/soil amendment formula. This is in a sharp contrast with how the scrap tires are disposed nowadays: either by landfilling or by burning for energy or by shredding. Landfilling and burning are environmentally harmful, while mechanical methods as well as pyrolysis approaches are energy demanding. This innovation introduces an energy efficient one-step chemical process that turns waste tire rubber into a highly useful multi-purpose agricultural product. When introduced into the soil, it serves as a slow release nitrogen fertilizer enriched with sulfur and zinc micronutrients as well as a water-holding agent, a soil conditioner with the bulking, aerating, and drainage functions. This multifunctional material will be useful for horticulture, nurseries, sod production, and also for turf grass management in golf courses and athletic fields. The goal of this project is to prove the process chemistry technically viable and scalable and to determine chemical, physical, and environmental characteristics of the proposed product critical for a commercial deployment.
The broader impact/commercial potential of this project involves about 300 million automotive tires discarded annually in the US and up to one billion in the whole world. This potentially disruptive innovation will deliver a sustainable solution for the pressing waste management problem of tire recycling. It will provide a valuable and affordable slow-release fertilizer/soil amendment formula for the agricultural sector as well as for athletic and recreational facilities. Another possible application will be an oil absorbent/bioremediation accelerator for oil spills emergency responses. Experimental and theoretical knowledge obtained due to this project will enrich diverse scientific disciplines such as waste management, soil science, chemistry and technology of rubber, and organic chemistry. Rendering waste tires a renewable resource and a commercially viable product will promote the values of sustainable development among the public, which is important in the era of reducing natural resources.
Project Summary: The goal of this NSF-funded SBIR Phase I research was to test feasibility and commercial applicability of a chemical process discovered in our laboratory. The proposed process converts waste tire rubber into a sponge-like material stuffed with a solid nitrogen fertilizer. We call this product NTireFormTM, which stands for Nitrogen Fertilizer in Tire Formula. Upon moistening in the soil, the resultant material acts as a slow release fertilizer, as well as a water retention agent and soil conditioner with bulking, aerating, and drainage features. Three major technical objectives of the project were the following: (i) to elucidate process chemistry, (ii) to characterize the product in terms of nutrient release efficiency and possible leaching of environmental pollutants, and (iii) to test possibility of adding additional nutrients other than nitrogen, for example, phosphorus or potassium. All the three technical objectives were met and now we can say that this technology is ready for commercialization. We have identified several customer segments and contacted almost 30 potential customers, end users, and other stakeholders. We have found partners who are ready to collaborate with us on a Phase II project. The NSF funding was crucial for achieving the Phase I technical goals, and now our plan is to submit a Phase II proposal, which would help us with our future commercialization effort and finally put our innovative product on the market. Major Outcomes: 1. The chemistry and reaction conditions of the proposed process are elucidated and optimized. Now we have a reliable and reproducible protocol of manufacturing our innovative product, NTireFormTM on a laboratory scale. This creates an opportunity to scale up the process with our Phase II industrial partner. 2. Most important physical and environmental characteristics of NTireForm are characterized using instrumental methods, and now we have a good understanding of the product’s effectiveness and environmental impact. It was found that the product provides a steady release of nutrients within 2-3 months under flood conditions, which corresponds to 4-6 months under normal soil conditions. Environmental impact of the product is insignificant, both in terms of heavy metal leaching and organic compounds volatilization. 3. Addition of a potassium component was successful, and now NTireForm can be considered as a slow release nitrogen/potassium fertilizer with several additional micro-nutrients such as calcium, zinc, and sulfur. 4. Field trials are underway in collaboration with the University of Florida. The goal of the field trials is to test the product in agricultural applications. A larger scale field testing is planned for a Phase II project together with the same academic group. 5. Significant progress has been done in the business development. We have contacted 27 potential customers and stakeholders, refined our business model, and found industrial and marketing partners.
