Schwalbe is the brand of the family-owned company Ralf Bohle GmbH, founded in 1922. Since 1973, only bike tyres and inner tubes have been produced under the Schwalbe brand name. Today, it is the European market leader and puts an emphasis on protecting the environment, durability and saving resources while striving to develop innovative and environmentally friendly products. Research and development take place at the headquarters in Reichshof near Cologne, Germany. With robust, durable tires, Schwalbe does not only reduce waste, but also promotes sustainable mobility. The brand has been involved in finding environmentally friendly mobility solutions all over the world and thus contributes to improving the quality of life in cities – a pioneer in promoting an environmentally responsible lifestyle on two wheels.
Schwalbe Maintenance Products
Sustainability
SCHWALBE Tyre recycling
Schwalbe, as the world's leading manufacturer of bicycle tyres, uniquely takes responsibility for the return and recycling of used bicycle tyres of various brands. The carefully thought-out closed-loop system is characterised by a proactive promotion of energy and resource conservation and brings about a remarkable reduction of 80% in CO2 emissions. This holistic recycling initiative received the prestigious Eurobike Innovators Prize award.
The challenges of collecting, recycling and reusing used tyres are much more complex at Schwalbe than in the case of inner tubes. This system is based on many years of research and a well thought-out logistics concept to successfully initiate the entire process. In order to cover the continuous costs of the tyre recycling process (non-profit), Schwalbe charges dealers a fee for collecting the tyre containers. At the same time, dealers are free to charge an appropriate contribution from their customers for dropping off used tyres.
The recycling process
1. COLLECTION
of used tyres by participating retailers, e.g. by us, bike-components. (You are usually charged a fee for returning used tyres.)
2. TRANSPORT
to recycling partner, Pyrum Innovations
3. SEPARATING
of used tyres in:
- Steel
- Fabric
- Rubber granulate
4. PYRUM THERMOLYSIS
Rubber granulate is converted into valuable secondary raw materials
5. RE-USE
of pyrolysis coke into new Schwalbe products
SCHWALBE TUBE RECYCLING
100% RECYCLABLE
All Schwalbe inner tubes can be completely recycled. The butyl rubber reclaimed from these recycled inner tubes can be used for producing new inner tubes without any negative effects on their quality.
RAW MATERIAL
Recyclability is an excellent quality of all Schwalbe inner tubes. The butyl rubber reclaimed from recycled inner tubes can be used for producing new inner tubes without negatively affecting the quality in the slightest.
PROCESSING
In the Schwalbe factory in Indonesia, the specially developed devulcanization technology was established to efficiently reclaim the butyl rubber. This innovative method has been used very successfully for many years.
80% LESS ENERGY CONSUMPTION
The energy balance of this recycling process is extremely positive when all transport routes are considered. Compared to producing the same amount of new butyl rubber, a remarkable energy saving of 80% is achieved.
THE NEW INNER TUBE
Every conventional Schwalbe inner tube already consists of about 20% of recycled raw materials. Schwalbe continues striving to increase this percentage of reused materials without negatively affecting the quality of the new inner tube.
