Why Shred Tires?

Scrap tires are banned from most landfills in their whole form due to fire risk, mosquito breeding, and structural instability. Shredding is the mandatory first step — whether for compliant landfill disposal or for recycling into valuable products. Processed output includes tire-derived fuel (TDF), playground mulch, rubberized asphalt additive, and fine rubber powder for molded products. Companies that invest in in-house shredding convert a pure disposal cost into a revenue stream.

Tire Shredders

Primary shredders reduce whole tires to rough shreds of 50–150 mm. Throughput ranges from 10 to 30 tons per hour depending on tire type and machine configuration.

Single shaft shredder — Uses a screen for controlled output size, producing more uniform chips. Slower but precise.

Double shaft shredder — No screen, coarser output, faster processing, and greater durability against steel wire. Our two-shaft models handle up to 30 tons per hour, producing 200 mm rough shreds. Optional screens can be added for finer output if downstream requirements demand it.

Primary shredding is only the beginning — large shreds require further refinement.

Graters, Granulators, and Mills

Secondary Shredding (Grating)

Rough shreds feed into a secondary shredder or grater, reducing them to 25–50 mm chips. Magnetic separation removes steel wire at this stage. Screen sizes down to 12 mm can be fitted for finer output.

Granulation

Clean rubber mulch enters a high-speed granulator. This machine shears the rubber further and separates fiber contaminants — nylon and polyester cord — producing crumb rubber at approximately 10 mm particle size.

Milling

For ultrafine output, crumb rubber passes through a cracker mill or fine grinder. This reduces particles to 2 mm or smaller, creating rubber powder suitable for high-value applications.

Summary: Each stage refines the material further while progressively removing non-rubber content. Steel wire is magnetically separated. Fiber is air-classified or screened out. The final product is pure rubber in the desired particle size.

Define Your End Goal Before Selecting Equipment

Your target output determines the machine configuration:

Landfill disposal — Primary shredding to 100–150 mm may suffice for compliant burial

Tire-derived fuel (TDF) — 50–100 mm chips for cement kiln or power plant feed

Civil engineering fill — 25–75 mm chips for road base, drainage, or sound barriers

Playground mulch — 10–25 mm wire-free chips

Crumb rubber — 5–10 mm for athletic tracks, sealants, and asphalt modification

Rubber powder — Sub-2 mm for polymers, injection molding, roofing, and specialty compounds
Each step downstream adds equipment and cost but increases product value. Match your investment to your market.

Products from Recycled Tires

Tire Derived Shreds (TDS) — From primary shredders. Contains steel, fiber, and rubber. Used for energy recovery, fuel blending, and civil engineering fill.

Wire-Free Chips / Rubber Mulch — From secondary shredding with magnetic separation.

Used for landscaping, playground surfaces, and equestrian arenas. Scrap steel is recovered and sold separately.

Crumb Rubber — From granulators. Used in athletic tracks, rubber sealants, and asphalt modification for road surfaces.

Rubber Powder — From fine mills. The highest-value output. Used in asphalt, roofing materials, polymer blends, and injection molding compounds.

Every size fraction has viable markets. The right configuration depends on your volume, local demand, and investment capacity.

Wanrooe Tire Recycling Systems

We configure complete tire recycling lines from primary shredding through fine milling, or supply individual machines to fit your existing process. Our experts match equipment to your tire type (passenger, truck, or OTR), target output, and capacity requirement. Contact us with your daily volume and end-market goals for a tailored system design and quotation.

FAQ: Tire Shredding

Can I shred tires with the steel beads still in?

Yes. Primary shredders are built to handle steel-reinforced tires. Magnetic separation after primary shredding removes the steel wire. Beaded wire from tire sidewalls may require additional processing or specialized blade material to minimize wear.

How do I prevent fires in stored tire shreds?

Tire shreds are flammable and can self-ignite if stored in large piles with poor ventilation. Store in smaller stacks with adequate airflow. Avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Some processors apply fire-retardant treatments for large stockpiles.

What is the payback period for a tire shredding line?

Payback depends on tipping fee avoidance, TDF or crumb rubber selling prices, and steel scrap recovery. For operations processing 10+ tons per day, payback typically ranges from 2 to 4 years. Higher-value end markets (crumb rubber, powder) shorten payback but require greater capital investment.