Center for Tire Research
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CenTiRe Funds Innovative Sustainability Project at University of Akron Focused on Smart Devulcanization of End-of-Life Tires

The Center for Tire Research (CenTiRe) is excited to announce a new research project under its Sustainability Thrust Area, launching in August 2025. This two-year project, led by Principal Investigator Dr. Toshikazu Miyoshi and PhD Candidate Researcher Marziyeh Shabani at the University of Akron, is titled: 

“Smart Devulcanization of End-of-Life Tires: Enhanced Interface Along with Mechanical Properties in SBR Compound” 

The research tackles a growing global challenge — how to transform waste tires into valuable, high-performance rubber materials. Through a smart devulcanization approach, the project aims to enable the sustainable reuse of end-of-life tires (ELTs) by selectively breaking chemical crosslinks in vulcanized rubber without degrading the polymer backbone. The long-term goal: significantly reduce virgin rubber use while maintaining or even improving the mechanical performance of new rubber compounds. 

Four Research Objectives to Drive Sustainability Forward 

Dr. Miyoshi’s proposal outlines four focused objectives, with the selective and efficient devulcanization of ground tire rubber (GTR) as the central pillar: 

  • Selective Devulcanization Using Non-Thermal Ultrasonic Processing 

  • Development of Novel Devulcanization Agents 

  • Rubber Blending for Performance Optimization 

  • Advanced Evaluation of Selectivity and Structure
     

A Step Toward a Circular Tire Economy 

By innovating both the chemistry and processing of tire recycling, Dr. Miyoshi’s project promises to advance sustainable tire technologies and reduce environmental impacts of ELTs. The potential to blend 50% devulcanized material — while meeting rigorous performance benchmarks — could transform how tires are manufactured, used, and reused across the industry. 

CenTiRe is excited to support Dr. Miyoshi’s innovative vision, which stands to make a substantial contribution to the circular economy of tire materials and set a new benchmark for ELT recycling technologies.