Lehigh Technologies

Lehigh Technologies, established in 2003, operates as a specialty chemicals company focused on sustainable materials. The firm has centered its business on upcycling post-industrial rubber and end-of-life tires into a high-value, versatile raw material known as Micronized Rubber Powder (MRP). Commercial-scale manufacturing of MRP commenced in 2007, marking a significant operational milestone. A key moment in the company's journey was its acquisition by the Michelin Group in October 2017, integrating Lehigh into Michelin's High Technology Materials business unit and its broader "4R" circular economy strategy.

The core of Lehigh's business is its proprietary cryogenic turbo mill technology. This process freezes rubber materials, making them brittle enough to be ground into fine powders with particle sizes ranging from 50 to 830 microns. This technique differs from traditional ground tire rubber (GTR) by producing significantly smaller particles, which allows for better integration and performance in end products. The resulting MRP serves as a cost-effective and sustainable substitute for petroleum-based feedstocks in various manufacturing processes, potentially reducing raw material costs by up to 50%.

Lehigh Technologies serves a diverse client base across several industries. Its primary market includes tire manufacturers, from small retreaders to some of the world's largest tire companies, who use MRP in new tire and retread compounds. Beyond tires, the company supplies its products to the construction, asphalt, plastics, and coatings industries. In construction and asphalt, MRP is used as an additive to improve durability and performance. For plastics and polyurethanes, it imparts rubber-like qualities such as flexibility and impact resistance. The company generates revenue through the direct sale of its MRP product lines, which include PolyDyne™, MicroDyne™, and specialized compounds like Rheopave™ for asphalt and Zenoflex™ for thermoplastic elastomers.

To support its clients, Lehigh operates an Application & Development Center (ADC), which collaborates with customers to create tailored formulations and optimize the integration of MRP into their specific products. This technical support model positions Lehigh not just as a material supplier but as a solutions partner. The company's main manufacturing plant, located in Tucker, Georgia, has a production capacity of over 100 million pounds annually. Following the acquisition by Michelin, Lehigh has expanded its manufacturing footprint internationally to better serve global markets.

Keywords: micronized rubber powder, MRP, tire recycling, specialty chemicals, sustainable materials, circular economy, cryogenic grinding, rubber upcycling, green technology, end-of-life tires, PolyDyne, MicroDyne, Michelin, construction materials, asphalt modification, plastics additives, industrial rubber, sustainable raw materials, feedstock replacement, closed-loop recycling, rubber compounds, sustainable mobility, material science, cleantech, high-performance materials