SpaceBlue, a UK-based start-up company, has launched the first of a range of products aimed at reducing wastage from vehicle tires, supported by the Graphene Engineering Innovation Center's (GEIC) ERDF Bridging the Gap program at The University of Manchester.
Credit: University of Manchester
In conjunction with the GEIC, Dr. Vivek Koncherry developed SpaceMatâa flooring product that uses graphene to improve the performance of recycled tire rubber compared to previous efforts.
Vivek's company SpaceBlue has developed graphene-enhanced recycled rubber products for mass-market applications that address this issue. The SpaceMat product is constructed from 80% waste tire material and 20% graphene-enhanced natural rubber. The graphene reportedly more than doubles the compressive strength of the rubber, in turn increasing the durability of the mat. Using graphene, it is possible to engineer the mechanical performance of the recycled material, bringing it close to the performance of a virgin polymer system.
James Baker, CEO Graphene@Manchester, said: "Our Bridging the Gap program specifically targets Greater Manchester-based SMEs and has been a great opportunity to support local innovation. It's really exciting to see this new company entering into the market, in particular with its focus on supporting environmental sustainability and a good re-use of scrap tires, which otherwise could cause significant pollution and waste product."
Having launched SpaceMat to market, Vivek is now developing a series of products, including traffic cones and anti-viral doormats, and is looking for partners to license and promote the technology globally.
"SpaceBlue is on a mission to solve the global problem of waste tire using graphene by developing sustainable and circular economy products," said Vivek. "Thanks to colleagues at the GEIC and funding from Bridging the Gap, we're making real progress towards achieving that goal."
The product is already available to purchase online. For specs and orders, click here.