Zeon Chemicals develops bio-derived synthetic rubber

ERJ staff report (BC)

Louisville, Kentucky - An epichlorohydrin monomer derived from palm and other vegetable oils is being used in production trials of Hydrin elastomers by Zeon Chemicals L.P. at its Hattiesburg, Missouri manufacturing facility.

Sam Harber, senior applications development chemist, said: “In the chemical production environment, we have to constantly seek methods and materials for our customers that help lower our impact on the environment. Because we are developing bio-derived monomer we should be able to reduce our carbon footprint. That makes Hydrin an exceptional choice for our end users.”

Zeon cites the following characteristics for the Hydrin elastomer series:

• Broad operational temperature range, from -40°C to >+125°C continuous; >+150°C short-term

• Range of dynamic properties from damping to resilient

• Inherent electrostatic dissipation

• Very impermeable to gases; more so than butyl in most instances

• Resistant to both fossil and bio-fuel hydrocarbons.

The company claims a “unique” balance of temperature, permeation and fuel resistance, listing applications such as automotive hoses, air ducts, diaphragms, laser printer rolls and vibration damping devices.

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