New Recovered Carbon Black Standard

The new standard will aid in promoting the entire life cycle of tires.

Feb 13, 2026

A new ASTM International standard will encourage the consideration of the entire life cycle of tires by providing a classification system for recovered carbon black (rCB). The new standard (D8632) was developed by ASTM’s recovered carbon black committee (D36).

"Recovered carbon black is a semi-reinforcing filler obtained from post-consumer rubber products such as tires and conveyor belts,” says ASTM member Jorge Lacayo-Pineda. “Through various thermal decomposition processes, the feedstock is converted into oil, gas, and raw rCB. After subsequent post-processing steps, the final product is rCB.”

Lacayo-Pineda notes that the standard classification system described in D8632 is essential for defining product categories and facilitating trade between rCB producers and users. In addition, the classification will promote fair competition by enabling quality comparisons within a specific category, rather than across all types of rCB products.

According to Lacayo-Pineda, the classification format consists of the letter R, indicating the material is recovered carbon black, followed by a number that represents the class of toluene transmittance, and a second number representing the class of inorganic content.

“The new standard will help promote the transition toward a circular economy,” says Lacayo-Pineda. “Moving to a circular economy requires designing products and systems with resource recovery in mind. End-of-life tires can be transformed into valuable raw materials, and rCB is one such example.”

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Join ASTM.

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