Lanxess advances sustainable elastomer technologies  

Cologne, Germany –  Lanxess has highlighted a number of sustainability-led innovations involving elastomer/rubber materials in its 2020 annual report issued 11 March  

Developments include a switch to renewable raw materials for its Aktiplast PP-veg, a processing promoter for natural rubber compounds used in tires and technical rubber articles.  

The substance is manufactured only from vegetable oils, so the proportion of renewable raw materials in processing additive is now around 90%, according to the company.  

Lanxess said the new product “can reduce its carbon footprint, while customers can reduce their energy consumption, as the natural rubber compounds are easier to process.”  

Another product based on renewable raw materials is Lanxess’ new Adiprene Green replacements for fossil-based polyether prepolymers for urethane parts such as wheels, rollers and roll-covers.  

The renewable materials are said to provide PU components with “a reduced carbon footprint and also offer the advantage of easy handling and processing.”