In Texas, Granutech-Saturn Systems highlights that the largest application for scrap tires remains the alternative fuels market due to their status as a resource of energy and iron and many industries that use tire-derived fuel like cement producers, paper mills and energy utilities.
Tires are shredded and cement plants use the steel from them which helps reduce the volume of iron ore needed for addition into the cement mixture. For energy and combustion units, tires with lower levels of steel are preferred for tire derived fuel (TDF).
The cost of TDF is similar to traditional fossil fuels, yet has a higher thermal value than most forms of coal making it an attractive option.
Granutech-Saturn Systems also notes that there isn’t enough demand for the valuable tire scraps resulting in scrap tires being moved across regions and even country borders to find a place to go.