Six million tonnes of tyre wear particles are released globally each year, and in London alone, 2.6 million vehicles emit around nine thousand tonnes of tyre wear particles annually, and a significant proportion of this ends up in our waterways and soil. Dr Crespo-Ribadeneyra's and Tyre Collective offer a sustainable solution to the problem: once captured, this pollution can be upcycled into a variety of high-tech applications, creating a closed-loop system.
" I am delighted with this collaboration with The Tyre Collective to upcycle tyre wear into smart materials. Our progress in developing batteries and pressure sensors is a steppingstone for future work together in more exciting projects, aligned with a circular economy mindset. Our aim is to make a significant impact on the environment by reducing pollution and conserving resources. I am excited to see our work on display at Material Matters and to share it with the world," said Dr Maria Crespo-Ribadeneyra.