EQUIPMENT SPOTLIGHT | JUNE 2026 Rubber Shredders

by MARY M. THORNTON
maryt@americanrecycler.com

The waste rubber industry continues to embrace a circular economy, not only for the various economic rewards that may be realized but also to minimize the negative environmental impact should the materials be discarded improperly. Equipment is available that aids in these endeavors.

Shredders manufactured by Eldan Recycling are used to reduce waste size, facilitating easier handling and further processing. A leading manufacturer of recycling equipment, Eldan specializes in shredders designed for a range of waste materials. For instance, the tire shredder plant (A-plant) transforms whole tires into shreds, ranging from 50 to 300 mm, which can be further processed into chips or granulate. “Eldan’s equipment is known for its durability, ease of maintenance and adaptability to various waste streams,” Carsten Nielsen, product manager, stated.

Eldan’s Twin Shaft Clean-Cut Shredder produces uniform shreds, ideal for tire-derived fuel applications. The company’s product line also includes the Super Chopper, Multi Chopper and Ring Shredder. Each product is tailored for specific applications. These machines are integral to Eldan’s modular recycling plants, which process tires, cables, e-waste and municipal solid waste. The Super Chopper is renowned for its high capacity and versatility, capable of processing up to eight tons per hour and is particularly effective for pre-shredding large volumes of waste. The Multi Chopper offers flexibility for smaller operations, while the Ring Shredder is designed for fine shredding – an essential part of e-waste recycling, to liberate valuable metals.

Eldan Recycling

Setting up these systems requires careful planning, including material sampling and customization to meet specific input types and desired output fractions. Eldan provides comprehensive support during installation and operation to ensure optimal performance.

Nielsen commented, “The recycling industry is experiencing a shift towards more sustainable practices, with increasing demand for efficient waste processing solutions. Eldan stays ahead by continuously innovating the technology involved in their products, to meet evolving regulatory standards and client needs. Established in 1956, Eldan’s commitment to quality and customer support positions us as a reliable partner in the recycling sector.”

FOR REC Recycling Systems

“FOR REC offers a sustainable rubber shredding solution through modular and fully automated plants, designed to maximize efficiency, safety and final a product purity level of 99 percent. A comprehensive solution involves several stages, from the removal of the steel bead (in truck tires) to fine granulation. Each stage is integrated and optimized to ensure continuous operation, low maintenance and certified results,” explained Nigel Dove, president of Vortex DePollution, FOR REC’s exclusive North American representative.

The high-performance FOR REC TX1600 primary shredder is a twin-shaft machine capable of processing large volumes – up to 10 Mt/hour and a 2” output size, in one step. It features “clean cut” blades that prevent the fraying of steel wires found within tires. This improves output quality, especially valuable for TDF (tires derived fuel). The TB, also a widely used, twin-shaft shredder, employs an exclusive cutting chamber design, which allows for quick extraction of shafts and is complete with blades, which drastically reduces maintenance time.

Also available is a MR single-shaft grinder, equipped with interchangeable and configurable cutting inserts. Material can be reduced to approximately 1’’ rubber chips and machine features include configurable, automatic gear reversal; cutting chamber external bearings; PLC-managed automatic greasing; no gears and configurable blades for thickness and shape. FOR REC rotary-blade granulators are designed for durability and low energy consumption. Material output size can range from 0-0,16’’ mm and easy access to the grinding chamber simplifies cleaning and maintenance, making the system ideal for intensive operational shifts.

Plants are equipped with a multi-stage cleaning system that combines rotary screens, air and density separators, pneumatic conveying and suction systems to completely separate textile fibers and steel. Also included: advanced suction systems, industrial filters and integrated fire prevention devices — in full compliance with the latest European safety and environmental regulations. Material output can be used for a wide range of applications: from 2’’ to 3’’TDF chips, to a 1’’ alternative size for kilns or granules for road foundations and infrastructure, urban furniture and insulation products. FOR REC offers customized solutions paired with environmental responsibility, via a highly qualified technical team, a global support network and a strong focus on research and development in the industrial recycling sector.

With nearly 60 years of industry experience, Granutech Saturn® Systems is widely recognized for its tire recycling expertise. Through durable equipment design and integrated system engineering, Saturn® Systems plays a key role in advancing recycling efficiency across a wide range of markets.

Granutech-Saturn Systems, Inc.

In tire recycling, rubber is often processed into crumb rubber for specific end-use applications such as athletic surfaces, rubber mulch, molded products, or rubberized asphalt. Achieving this requires multiple controlled reduction stages, often combined with separation technologies that remove steel and fiber contaminants.

“At Granutech-Saturn Systems, tire recycling is one of our core areas of expertise,” says Matt Morrison, president of Recycling System Solutions. “We design and manufacture equipment for every stage of tire recycling, from primary shredders to fine-grind refiner mills and everything in between. The science behind pyrolysis continues to evolve and we stay at the forefront of these advancements.”

Modern recycling operations also demand equipment that can scale with production needs while maintaining consistent performance and Granutech designs its equipment to handle a wide range of throughput capacities, enabling both small operations and large industrial facilities to optimize their workflows.

“Our systems can handle processing rates from one ton per hour up to 20 tons per hour, allowing operators to scale size-reduction capacity to match production requirements and end-product specifications,” Morrison adds.

Granutech’s success in the marketplace is fueled by continuous investment in advanced fabrication, precision machining and integrated automation capabilities, applied across both standalone machines and complete recycling systems. Available in single-, dual-, and quad-shaft models, our heavy-duty equipment and expert engineers deliver reliable and cost-effective solutions for the toughest applications worldwide.

As global recycling demands continue to rise, the importance of precise, reliable, and scalable size reduction technology will only grow, positioning Granutech at the forefront of the circular economy.

Published in the June 2026 Edition of American Recycler News