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Zeon Epichlorhydrin elastomers from renewable sources ranked within Top 5
Within European Rubber Journal Ranking of Top 10 Elastomers for Sustainability, ZEON Epichlorhydrin elastomers from renewable sources was ranked within Top 5!
Epichlorhydrin rubber is an oil- and heat-resistant type of rubber, mainly comprising epichlorhydrin monomer, which is widely used in automotive (eg fuel hose, sealing) and industrial (eg printing rollers, diaphragm) applications. ZEON has developed a bio-type version of this rubber, using epichlorhydrin monomer from renewable sources – glycerol by-product from plant-based biodiesel production – instead of conventional crude oil sources.
Zeon has implemented the bio-epichlorhydrin monomer into the production of its Eco branded epichlorhydrin rubber towards reducing the CO2 footprint of elastomer products particularly in the automotive sector.
Bio Eco is fully commercialised and available, Zeon noting that the materials can also be used as an alternative to other oil- and heat-resistant rubbers.
ERJ Committee remarks:
The main point here is that ZEON has pushed ahead with the commercial introduction of bio- based feedstock for epichlorohydrin rubber.
Using a bio-source as feedstock is a really positive development in this area.