Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber & Plastics News
Subscribe
  • My Account
  • LogIn
  • News
  • Technology Focus
    • Features
    • Technical Papers
    • Analysis: Rubber mixing plants of the future
      Analysis: US probes dumping by ESBR suppliers
      Opinion: Tire labels stuck in a rut
      Analysis: NR pricing takes one step forward, two steps back
    • Technical paper: Varying Si-substituents for rubber silanes
      White paper: Role of tire innerliners in improving 'in-use rolling resistance'
      White paper: Why tire air retention matters now more than ever
      Nippon Soda: Use of 1,2-polybutadiene in CSM rubber applications
  • Events
    • ERJ Events
    • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
    • Industry Events
    • Journey to Automation Awards 2020
      Sustainability: Top 10 E4S projects table
  • Maps & Reports
  • People
  • Directory
  • Digital Edition
  • Brainiac
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
  2. News
August 11, 2017 12:00 AM

Germany to ban rubber seals from drinking water systems

Patrick Raleigh
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print
    *See the ERJ Special Report in the Sept/Oct issue of European Rubber Journal magazine for the full Q&A interview with Bart Kalkstein about the future role of carbon black in the era of sustainability.

    Frankfurt, Germany – Germany looks set to stop the use of rubber-based components, including seals, in drinking water systems from 2021, under regulations being introduced in the country.

    Under the ‘guidelines’, all chemicals covered by the EU’s REACH chemical safety regulations require a new permit governing which materials can be used in drinking water systems, according to Boris Engelhardt, CEO of German rubber industry association the WDK.

    The Berlin government, he said, has drawn up a list of substances, which require proof to show that they are not harmful in drinking- water applications.

    For example, he said, there are still no crosslinking agents, such as sulphur and peroxides, on the approved list.

    Under the original schedule, all unlisted substances would be prohibited from use in drinking water systems from the start of 2017. But this has proved impractical and, it seems, that the industry now has until 2021 to achieve compliance.

    One of the main challenges is the cost of testing: it makes no economic sense for companies supplying the industry with small quantities of a product, to run tests costing of up to €450,000 per substance.

    The WDK tried to run the tests, starting with a peroxide crosslinking agent, as an example to establish the costs, Engelhardt reporting: “So far we have invested more than €100,000 and we are still not allowed to put anything into this list.”

    Adding that the quality of drinking water in Germany is probably among the highest anywhere in the world, Engelhardt concluded “if we don’t meet the standards set up by the German government, nobody else on the globe will.

    “Basically, it is just insane. You won’t have the chance to use sealing in drinking water systems from 2021 when this becomes a reality.”

    RECOMMENDED FOR YOU
    “Encouraging” signs as ETRMA publishes Q1 results
    “Encouraging” signs as ETRMA publishes Q1 results
    Starco, Kenda integrate European technical teams
    Starco, Kenda integrate European technical teams
    Chemours ups sustainability efforts with new executive role
    Chemours ups sustainability efforts with new executive role
    Free Newsletters

    Breaking news and in-depth coverage of essential topics delivered straight to your inbox.

    Subscribe today

    Get the latest news impacting the European rubber industry, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online.

    Subscribe now
    Connect with Us
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Youtube

    Logo
    Contact Us

    @ 2019 European Rubber Journal. 
    European Rubber Journal is published bi-monthly by NUERJ Ltd.

    Registered Office: Castle House, 89 High Street,
    Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 2DF, United Kingdom. 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

    Registered No. 13104613 England

    Email: [email protected]

    Website www.european-rubber-journal.com

    Customer service 

    Tel. + 44 (0)203 196 0141 

     

    Resources
    • About us
    • Contact Us
    • Advertise with Us
    • Media Kit
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    • Sitemap
    Legal
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    Copyright © 2021. NUERJ LTD. All Rights Reserved.
    • News
    • Technology Focus
      • Features
      • Technical Papers
    • Events
      • ERJ Events
      • ERJ Livestreams & Webinars
      • Industry Events
    • Maps & Reports
    • People
    • Directory
    • Digital Edition
    • Brainiac