Our history

Phoenix was founded to offer an innovative alternative to the gasification and pyrolysis of elastomer waste. Using a second-hand thermokinetic mixer, the company developed a promising processing method for elastomer crumb rubber. Successive trials validated an efficient processing method, although the initial process required several minutes per cycle. A prototype enabling continuous production was then developed, leading to two patents protecting this technology worldwide.

This new equipment, combined with standard peripherals, enabled continuous production in a pre-industrialization phase. After being relocated, the equipment processed 1,045,000 pounds of crumb rubber, validating its performance and paving the way for full industrialization of the process.

At the end of 2022, Phoenix decided to manufacture an elastomer compound for truck tire treads, incorporating 30 PHR (15% by mass) of crumb rubber from truck tire carcass treads. Concurrently, the team was preparing the second generation “Bravo” of surface processing equipment. This modular version, optimized for the type of elastomer to be recycled, would increase the number of PHRs in the compounds, while reducing power consumption and boosting the plant’s overall performance.

The Mirabel pilot plant in operation from 2014 to 2021.

Chronology

From the company’s foundation in 2004 to this day!

2005: Change of strategy
2008: Merger and acquisition
2009: Restructuring and planning
2010: Technology development
2011: Prototyping
2013: Validation and patents
2014: Facility relocation
2014-2015: Industrialization
2015-2017: Refinement and production
2018-2020: Development of elastomer compounds
2021: Closing of development site
2021-2024: Circular economy project “Tread to Tread”.

Market sectors

In 2023, the global market for rubber products reached $400.07 billion, with an annual growth rate of 6.9% over 2022. Rubber is valued for its properties such as resistance to heat, abrasion and low temperatures, and is mainly used in the manufacturing of tires, as well as other products such as sealants (EPDM) and hoses.

The growing demand for tires, particularly in the automotive industry, is driving the trend to reduce resource consumption and reuse post-consumer waste. Rubber accounts for over 40% of tire composition and is also used in industrial applications such as drive belts and much more.

Recycled rubber, in particular Surface Activated Regenerated (“SAR”) crumb rubber, offers economic and strategic benefits by replacing part of the raw materials used during the manufacturing of a rubber product.

And also reduces the energy required and the CO² generated during the entire manufacturing process.

This recycling model represents a functional circular economy approach that can significantly reduce global production costs and dependence on raw materials.

Annual demand for processed rubber is currently estimated at 200 million pounds and is expected to exceed 400 million pounds in the U.S. alone within the next five years.

Target markets include tire tread manufacturers for the tire transportation retreading market. We are currently creating with our “Tread to Tread” project, introducing our technology solution to major tire companies.

This is just the beginning!

The company’s vision encompasses much more than the recycling of elastomer waste into technical products.

The emphasis is now on processing the source of waste into high-performance rubber products that reduce the need for raw materials, cut energy requirements, and alleviate the burden on natural and synthetic rubber worldwide.