Waterproof explosives from old tyres

A $130,000 grant from assistance program Commercialisation Australia will help one of Australia’s largest tyre recyclers, Queensland-based Chip Tyre, to refine a process that turns rubber crumbs recycled from old car tyres into explosives for use under wet conditions.

The company, which has already patented and registered a blasting explosive using recycled rubber crumb as a diesel replacement, is developing the wet form of its original Chip Tyre dry explosive for use in the mining and quarrying industries.

The immersible and waterproof explosives are expected to generate significant national savings on diesel imports and substantially reduce the cost (22.5%) of explosives used in mines. Grant funding will be used to optimise coating methods, develop a commercial manufacturing process and conduct commercial-scale explosions. 

Commercialisation Australia has announced almost $6.9 million in funding to 21 innovative businesses and researchers, two of which are already participating in the program. That brings the total assistance provided since its inception to $126.5 million for 322 participants.

“Commercialisation Australia is assisting numerous Australian businesses to build viable businesses and take their new products to market through the provision of timely funding and access to a diverse range of skills and experience. Our dedicated case managers and volunteer business mentors have the knowledge needed to enhance participants’ prospects of commercial success and enrich Australia’s commercialisation ecosystem,” said Commercialisation Australia CEO Doron Ben-Meir.

“This is in keeping with our mission to grow an effective early stage commercialisation ecosystem which feeds on its own success and provides an environment which encourages and supports entrepreneurial endeavour at its grass roots.”

For more information about the program, visit www.commercialisationaustralia.gov.au.