Crafting Unique Accessories Sustainably
We are a passionate Lithuanian duo from the lively city of Kaunas, dedicated to crafting hand-made belts and other accessories from recycled engine timing belts. These unique accessories not only serve to keep your pants in place but also offer a stylish nod to industrial design. Each belt is a blend of innovation and craftsmanship, meticulously designed to stand out.
By repurposing materials, we aim to contribute to sustainability and promote eco-friendly fashion. Our belts make the perfect gift for car enthusiasts or industry workers who have everything else!
Every piece we create carries a story of transformation, turning a once functional item that was discarded into a distinctive accessory that reflects the spirit of creativity and recycling while making the planet a little bit greener.
Ready to add a touch of automotive history to your wardrobe?
Little bit of History
Timing belts have been integral to the internal combustion engine's development. They first gained prominence in the 1960s, notably after being used in the German Glas GT.
The innovation behind timing belts was to synchronize the rotation of the crankshaft and camshaft, ensuring the engine's valves open and close at the right times during intake and exhaust strokes.
This allowed for smoother, quieter, and more efficient engine operation compared to the previously used timing chains.
Since then, timing belts have been refined, becoming a standard in modern vehicles, praised for their durability and performance.
However, durable as they might seem but rubber degrades with higher temperatures, and with contact with motor oil. Thus the life expectancy of a timing belt is lowered in hot or leaky engines.
And because of the material properties the storage life is about 8 years in proper storage conditions for new belts.
Belts and the environment
Timing belts are typically made from a combination of materials to ensure durability and functionality. The main components include:
Rubber, Polyurethane or Neoprene: These materials form the body of the belt, providing flexibility and resistance to wear and tear.
Molded Cords: Often made from materials like fiberglass, polyester, or Kevlar, these cords provide strength and help transmit power.
Metal Reinforcement: Some timing belts may include metal reinforcements to enhance their durability and load-bearing capacity.
These materials work together to create a belt that can withstand the mechanical stresses of an engine while maintaining precise synchronization between components.
But such durability of course presents several challenges to recycling them.
First, timing belts are made from a combination of materials, including rubber, fabric, and sometimes - metal components, which makes them difficult to separate and process. Additionally, the belts are often coated with lubricants and other chemicals during the manufacturing process, and could become dirty with oil during its use on the engine and that complicates the recycling process as well since they would require thorough cleaning before being processed.
The durability and strength of timing belts, while beneficial for their use in engines, also mean they require significant energy and specialized equipment to break down.
Finally, the relatively small size and complex structure of timing belts mean that the economic viability of recycling them can be low, as the cost of processing may outweigh the value of the recovered materials.
Gallery
Explore our unique belts and other accessories crafted from upcycled engine timing belts.
