Sulfur vulcanization a substantial fraction of natural and synthetic rubber. Reclaimed rubber has altered properties and is unsuitable for use in many products, including tires. Tires and other vulcanized products are potentially amenable to devulcanization, but this technology has not produced material that can supplant unvulcanized materials. The main problem is that the carbon-sulfur linkages are not readily broken, without the input of costly reagents and heat. Thus, more than half of scrap rubber is simply burned for fuel. Although polymeric sulfur is unstable and decomposes back to its monomer, it is possible to create stable polymers consisting mostly of sulfur via
The Sulphur Institute Symposium. The symposia are attended by producers, consumers, and traders in sulfur, as well as industry service providers, and feature speakers discussing a range of topics relating to sulfur. The 2010 Sulphur World Symposium was held in Doha, Qatar, from April 12 through April 15, 2010. The 2010 symposium featured a tour of the Ras Laffan Industrial City, which is not normally available to the public. Publications by The Sulphur Institute include market studies, industrial publications, general brochures about sulfur, and brochures on the agricultural uses of sulfur. Symposium proceedings are also available. Most publications are available in English, with