Recovered Carbon Black / rCB

Upgrading scrap-tire carbon into a higher-value circular material.

Recovered carbon black is one of the most important value pathways in tire recycling. The goal is to move beyond low-value char and toward engineered rCB that can be evaluated for rubber goods, tire-related applications, plastics, coatings, and technical materials.

What rCB is

Recovered carbon black is carbonaceous material recovered from industrial processing of carbon-rich waste streams, including scrap tire pyrolysis. Raw pyrolytic carbon black usually requires post-processing before it can be positioned for higher-value applications.

pCB rCB Jet Milling Deashing ASTM Positioning

Why deashing matters

Pyrolytic carbon black can contain inorganic ash and residues. Deashing, washing, controlled drying, particle-size control, and surface treatment are used to improve consistency, dispersion, cleanliness, and value.

Ash Reduction Surface Cleanliness Dispersion Rubber Compounding

rCB upgrade pathway

1. Tire Pyrolysis

Scrap tires are thermally processed to produce oil, syngas, steel, and pyrolytic carbon black.

2. Mechanical Pre-Treatment

Steel and inorganic components are removed; material is milled to improve downstream purification.

3. Non-Thermal Deashing

pCB is treated to reduce ash and remove impurities from surface and pore structures.

4. Washing / Drying

The purified material is washed and dried under controlled conditions to support rubber compatibility.

Potential applications

Rubber Goods

Technical rubber products, molded goods, seals, mats, and industrial rubber formulations.

Tire Industry Evaluation

rCB may be evaluated against technical specifications for reinforcement and compounding behavior.

Advanced Carbon Products

Further upgrading may support activated carbon, specialty carbon, or other engineered materials.

Important technical note

rCB value depends on actual lab results, ash content, particle size, surface area, structure, dispersion, moisture, residue content, and buyer qualification. Harborview should present rCB as a technology pathway until supplier testing, buyer trials, and offtake agreements are secured.