A review panel led by leading experts in the field of polymer science and technology has now decided on the first entry for the ERJ New Elastomers for Sustainability Program.
E4S is the industry's first sustainable development plan, which aims to highlight major advances in end-user fields such as automobiles, tires, auto parts, construction, consumer goods, industry, and medical.
The selection process finally formed the following top 10 based on the development of materials science, based on their potential to enhance the environmental conditions of the elastomer/rubber industry.
Details of all projects published in the July/August issue of ERJ magazine. The table will be revised and updated with new items that score higher than any entry. Click the E4S Program link to enter the next Top 10 project, which will be published in the November/December issue of ERJ.
Since the beginning of 2020, companies and individuals have been invited to provide ERS entries via online links on the ERJ website. From the 20 strongest competitors, an expert jury evaluated each project based on the following aspects: presentation quality; innovation level; US Pharmacopoeia; commercial potential; and contribution to sustainability. In addition to rating the overall strength and weakness, the system also allows up to 700 points.
The expert panel includes:
Professor James Busfield, Professor of Materials Science, National Teaching Researcher of Industrial Participation, and Head of the Soft Matter Group at Queen Mary University of London.
Dr. Christoph Sokolowski leads the "sustainability" issue of the German Rubber Industry Association WDK (Wirtschaftsverband der deutschen Kautschukindustrie) in Frankfurt, Germany.
Martyn Bennett recently founded Midsomer Science, a British consulting company. Prior to this, he worked at Avon Rubber plc for more than 30 years and most recently served as chief scientist and head of ARTIS consulting services.
Jiří Brejcha is the head of Brejcha Rubber Consulting. He was a material development expert at Trelleborg Wheel Systems. Prior to that, Mitas in Prague, Czech Republic.
Asahi Kasei
Product or project name: Asahi Kasei's sixth-generation styrene butadiene rubber (SBR)
The main goals or objectives of the original functional groups and high-molecular-weight technology development projects involved in material technology The goal of this project is to achieve a 20% increase (reduction) in rolling resistance compared to the previous level, and at the same time to improve wear resistance. Maintain machinability
Technical challenges that the project team tackled With the increasing demand for fuel efficiency and overcoming microplasticity issues, the requirements for rolling resistance and wear resistance have become more and more important in recent years. One of the solutions to improve the fuel efficiency of the compound is to introduce functional groups that can interact or react with the filler surface to increase the filler-polymer interaction into the polymer used in the tire tread, such as SBR (styrene-butadiene). )-Rubber). In addition, this higher filler-polymer interaction enhances the reinforcing effect of the compound and improves abrasion resistance. The abrasion resistance can also be improved by increasing the molecular weight of the polymer. However, both the functional groups in the polymer and the high molecular weight of the polymer cause processability problems. In order to overcome this problem, Asahi Kasei has developed two special technologies; first, a special functional group, which realizes a strong filler-polymer interaction to improve wear resistance and rolling resistance. In addition, we have developed a new polymerization technology to optimize the structure of the polymer to provide advanced wear resistance while maintaining processability. Through the combination of these technologies, Asahi Kasei's 6th generation SBR shows excellent rolling resistance, good processing performance and better wear resistance.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? Our 6th generation SBR is currently being tested by many customers around the world, and we have received positive feedback. We plan to commercialize some grades in 2021.
Please describe the contribution of the technology or product to sustainability Asahi Kasei's 6th generation SBR can contribute to reducing fuel consumption. In addition, it can also reduce the microplastics produced by tires by improving wear resistance.
To further improve the scope of technology or products, our next goal is to increase the wear resistance by 20% compared to the 6th generation SBR, and to improve the stability of the polymer in the compound.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Compounds of this grade show excellent processing properties. Therefore, tire manufacturers can reduce the mixing time or mixing phase, which helps reduce CO2 emissions.
See also support information
Product or project name: Biobutadiene in ethanol used for tire production
The main material technology involves catalytic conversion, catalyst synthesis, petrochemical product separation, butadiene purification
The main goal or goal of the development project ETB technology is the way to obtain butadiene. Butadiene is one of the raw materials for the production of BR and SBR rubber, which is vital to tire manufacturing together with natural rubber. Nowadays, green trading policies, circular economy and renewable polymer production trends are becoming stronger and stronger, forcing manufacturers to look for new materials based entirely on biology or to replace different monomers one by one with renewable ones. The current market size of butadiene is about 15 million tons per year, and it will grow to 17.9 million tons by 2025. The ethanol-to-butadiene plant can be built separately or implemented at the fossil-based butadiene production site. This solution not only obtains renewable resources from rubber manufacturing, adds value to customers and improves the sustainability index of the entire chain, but also promotes the ethanol industry, which is highly dependent on oil demand.
The technical challenge solved by the project team was achieved by the Soviet Union's Lebedev and the United States' Ostromislensky in the 20th century. However, the production of butadiene from naphtha eliminated this process from the market due to the low product cost. Nowadays, the trend in the production of renewable polymers is becoming stronger and stronger. Our team has accepted the challenge of using industrially produced carriers to develop new catalysts to avoid the Lebedev process’s dependence on natural resources and improve the biobutadiene production. Energy efficiency and yield. All these characteristics make our technology of interest to polymer producers and enable biobutadiene to compete with fossil-based butadiene.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? So far, the technology has been developed and successfully passed the laboratory and pilot tests. We can provide crude biobutadiene samples to potential customers. Our technology is preparing for commercialization. ETB is developing an engineering project for a demonstration plant in the Netherlands and is expected to obtain the first commercial-scale batches within 2-3 years.
Please describe the contribution of this technology or product to sustainability. Our technology is a method of obtaining renewable biobutadiene from ethanol for polymer production, which can increase the bio-based rubber content in tires to 75%. Compared to the Lebedev or Ostromislensky process, this process requires less energy and reduces the carbon footprint compared to the production of fossil-based butadiene.
To further improve the scope of technology or products, we can further improve our technology by developing new versions of catalysts, purifying by-products or recycling them into the process, and improving reactor models. All these measures can increase the productivity of the entire ETB process. Other ways to enhance the technology are to implement the factory into the rubber production chain and develop production from a small tire manufacturer to the largest tire manufacturer.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Our technology can not only produce biobutadiene, which is essential for the polymer industry, but also reduce carbon footprint and energy consumption. In the long run, the construction of factories and the dissemination of technology will reduce the use of fossil resources, and increase the positive contribution to the economy by supporting local biomass and ethanol producers and job placement.
Shengxi Europe Co., Ltd.
Product or item name highly functional Sprintan 918S S-SBR: Combines excellent wet grip performance with the extremely low rolling resistance of passenger car treads to achieve efficient EV mobility and improve fuel efficiency.
The unique proprietary functional technology developed for high molecular weight oil-immersed S-SBR combines excellent low-frequency elasticity (related to rolling resistance) with excellent wet grip performance and abrasion resistance, while providing non-functional and non-functional化S-SBR. -Optimized the unique microstructure (styrene and vinyl content) to achieve excellent wet braking performance at a relatively low glass transition temperature, thereby optimizing wear performance. -Compared with the typical non-fx high-grip SSBR (passenger car summer tread), Sprintan™ 918S has a 15% improvement in rolling resistance laboratory index and an 8% improvement in wet grip. The laboratory wear index showed an increase of 20%.
The main goal or purpose of the development project
Electric vehicles have high curb weight and sufficient torque, which make the tires bear severe stress and strain. At the same time, in order to extend the battery cruising range as much as possible, the lowest possible rolling resistance in the tire is necessary. For this seemingly contradictory combination of characteristics, Sprintan 918S meets all conditions, making it an ideal choice, but not limited to electric car tire treads. Of course, the unique balance of performance of Sprintan918S can benefit a lot from summer tires, all-season tires and even winter tires for other types of passenger cars.
Trinseo has a good track record in developing functional S-SBR to improve rolling resistance in tire applications. Sprintan 918S is another example.
Prior to the development of this grade, high-grip S-SBR usually had a high glass transition temperature, and its use was limited to UHP or UUHP summer tread applications. Traditionally optimized for wet grip, these polymers did not primarily contribute to improving the rolling resistance of the tire tread. However, today's requirements for reducing carbon dioxide emissions are becoming stricter, and products that can realize more efficient electric vehicles are required.
The development of the new grade takes these requirements into account, while still ensuring excellent grip performance and higher wear resistance.
Technical challenges solved by the project team
The main challenge for the development of a functionalized S-SBR Sprintan 918S with a medium Tg is to achieve the required high wet grip performance at a relatively low polymer glass transition temperature. Combined with functional technology, the micro and macro structures have been carefully adjusted to ensure that low temperature performance and wear resistance can still benefit from the high flexibility of the main chain. In order to maximize the potential for fuel efficiency, strong polymer-filler interactions through reactive functional elements are designed into this grade while still maintaining adequate compound processing during the mixing and extrusion process of tire production.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product?
Sprintan 918S has recently been introduced to the market and has aroused great interest from customers who recognize the value of its outstanding performance balance in electric vehicle tires, UUHP/UHP summer, all-season and even winter tread applications.
Please describe the contribution of the technology or product to sustainability
The use of SPRINTAN™ 918S in the tire tread can reduce the rolling resistance of the tire, thereby reducing the energy required to travel a given distance. This therefore reduces fuel consumption or extends the range of electric vehicles.
Ninety percent of the energy consumption in the entire life cycle of a tire comes from the use phase of the tire, that is, the fuel consumption of the vehicle. Therefore, the development of new polymers and composite concepts to improve the rolling resistance of tires, thereby improving the fuel efficiency of automobiles, and solving the core element of how to reduce the impact of tires on the environment.
According to the laboratory index data confirmed by tire customers, the 918S class (compared to the non-functionalized high-grip SSBR) improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle by approximately 1.5%. Considering only 18 million cars sold in Europe, this benefit of improved fuel efficiency will translate into approximately a reduction of 540.000 tons of fuel consumption or a reduction of 1.3 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions. *¹
In terms of electric vehicles, SPRINTAN™ 918S, as the grip component of the tire tread, is an important step in realizing the cruising range of high-torque electric vehicles. To further support the shift from internal combustion engines to a more sustainable form of propulsion, Trinseo is actively working with major customers to continuously improve tire performance in this growing market segment.
Further improve the scope of technology or products
Trinseo is already actively developing the next-generation functional S-SBR to further enhance the interaction between the polymer backbone and surrounding filler particles. The next-generation S-SBR will continue to improve rolling resistance and wear resistance, so it will have a positive impact on the environmental footprint.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability?
Looking at the contribution of tires to sustainable personal mobility, it is not enough to focus solely on rolling resistance and wet grip potential, but also tire wear. In fact, the weight of the tire can be further reduced, thereby reducing the rolling resistance, thereby reducing the particulate emissions during the use phase of the tire.
Sprintan 918S satisfies all these key requirements with its unique ingredients and proprietary and effective functionalization technology, so it supports the global decarbonization plan of the transportation sector, which is crucial in combating accelerated global warming and protecting primary raw materials.
Product or project name: Tire-to-tire recycling: A chemical-free technology that can continuously desulfurize ELT rubber crumbs into tire-derived polymers (TDP) for the manufacture of new tires/retreaded tires.
ELT (Scrap Tire) rubber crumbs (and other waste rubber, such as tire production rubber waste, retreading polishing waste, EPDM production waste) twin-screw extrusion to produce devulcanized rubber, without the use of chemical solvents or desulfurization chemicals. Since no chemicals are used, this technology is environmentally sustainable.
The main goal or purpose of the tire-to-tire recycling solution development project is to prepare the tire industry for the challenges of circular economy. In order to properly recycle ELT rubber, the holy grail of the industry is devulcanization, so ELT rubber can be directly reused to produce new tires. Desulfurization can be used to transfer ELT from landfills, TDF (tire-derived fuel) or other low-value uses by producing recycled rubber compounds that can be directly used in tire production in large quantities. The reuse of 5% of ELT rubber does not make a substantial contribution to the circular economy. The goal of the project is to develop a recyclable ELT rubber compound that can be used in the production of new tires in the range of 20-30%.
The technical challenge solved by the project team-using industrially reliable plastic extrusion technology to reliably and continuously devulcanize ELT rubber to produce TDP. -Expand the rubber desulfurization process to more than 1 ton per hour to meet the scale of the tire industry. -Optimize the desulfurization process to produce TDP in a consistent and reliable manner to meet the quality standards of the tire industry. -Optimize TDP characteristics to be used as a functional tire compound in the range of 20%-30%, suitable for various tires. -Optimize the TDP production process to ensure that TDP brings tangible cost savings to the tire industry.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? Since 2016, Tyromer, as an internal supplier of AirBoss, has been operating its first TDP production facility in the AirBoss Rubber Solutions (https://airbossofamerica.com/rubber-solutions/home.php) factory. Since 2016, KAL tires have been using AirBoss OTR retreading compound with a TDP of 20% (https://www.kaltire.com/en/responsibility-retreading/). Relying on positive feedback from customers, KAL is now increasing the TDP content to 25% and expanding the use of this compound to its international business. A similar compound has been developed with a TDP of more than 20% for the manufacture of new OTR tires. OTR, truck and passenger car tires with a TDP of 15%-20% are currently undergoing road trials in North America and Europe. A passenger car tire manufacturer is optimizing tire compounds with a TDP of 30%. The second TDP production facility in Windsor, Ontario, Canada is about to be completed to supply top brands in North America. With the financial support of the Dutch government, the third TDP production facility is being built in the Netherlands to supply top brand customers in the EU. Currently, the United States, the European Union, Australia and China are planning some TDP production facilities.
Please describe the contribution of technology or products to sustainability. The production of new materials for tire rubber composites is energy-intensive. ELT's TDP production, including the energy required to reduce ELT to ELT rubber crumbs, accounts for less than 10% of the energy required to produce new tire rubber compounds. According to data from the European Environment Agency (2016), electricity generation in Europe generates approximately 0.3 MT CO2/MWh. This means that using 1 MT of TDP to replace the original tire compound can save 7.3 MT of carbon dioxide. Reducing rolling resistance can reduce fuel consumption during the use phase of the tire, thereby contributing to sustainability. However, meaningfully reducing rolling resistance is becoming increasingly challenging. In addition, reducing the fuel consumption of tires with lower rolling resistance requires consumers to work hard on proper tire maintenance, and the government also needs to work hard to build roads with roads that minimize the rolling resistance of tires. The use of TDP in tire production automatically provides sustainability advantages without relying on other factors.
Further improvement of technology or product range As tire recycling shifts to more material recycling industries, ELT rubber crumbs with improved performance will appear. For example, sorting out truck tires for scrap production from passenger car tires will produce more reliable raw materials for TDP. As Giant Mining tires are recycled, TDP raw materials will be able to use shredded rubber with higher material properties. Like innovation, continuous improvement will bring about enhancement of product performance and reduction of production costs. Promoting sustainable development is not limited to the tire industry. The use of TDP can be extended to the non-tire rubber industry, which accounts for the other half of global rubber consumption. Tyromer is working with the mining industry, automotive rubber molding industry, and infrastructure sectors to use TDP in a wide range of applications.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Although organizations representing tire manufacturers claim that ELT recycling rates are high, the fact remains that most recycling does not extract maximum value from ELT. For example, in the United States, nearly 50% of ELT is used for energy recovery in the form of TDF (tire-derived fuel). TDF recovers about 35% of the energy in ELT rubber, while TDP recovers more than 90%. The best recycling is to use the material for its original intended purpose. For the tire industry, the ultimate goal must be "tire-to-tire"-a considerable amount. TDP represents the best reuse option in the true sense of ELT. Extracting more value from waste is the purpose of circular economy.
Product or project name: EcoRubber Garden Hose
The main material technology involved Continental has developed a garden hose that uses Arlanxeo EPDM and ethylene derived from the bio-renewable resource sugarcane. The main goal of the development project Continental hopes to improve the sustainability of our product line by using raw materials with less environmental impact. Continental hopes to launch a product that shows that Continental cares about our global footprint and provides products that can lead to a better and more environmentally friendly tomorrow. Continental Airlines believes that it is necessary to improve our interaction with the world.
The technical challenge that the project team faced was only a few EPDM grades with bio-renewable ingredients. Sustainable EPDM rubber grades cannot completely replace the petroleum-based EPDM rubber currently used by Continental. Continental needs to use a rubber formula, use more EPDM, and less filler to maintain hose performance. The advantage is that it increases the total amount of renewable materials in the hose structure.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? This garden hose containing renewable EPDM is being sold online through major home improvement retail stores. If it performs well online, it may be taken to a physical store for additional sales.
Please describe the contribution of this technology or product to sustainability. Garden hoses using EPDM and sugarcane ethylene are eliminating Continental’s partial reliance on petroleum-based EPDM. Continental uses EPDM grades that contain the highest content of natural sugar cane ethylene to further maximize the renewable content in the hose, while minimizing the amount of petroleum-derived components in EPDM and the resulting hose. 70% of the EPDM polymer used by Continental comes from sustainable ingredients in the sugar cane plant.
The scope of further improvements in technology or products Continental is currently evaluating renewable oil and recycled/recycled materials, which can reduce the number of new petroleum products required to manufacture rubber hoses and reduce the impact on waste tire landfills. And other rubber products. Continental’s goal is to use a wide range of sustainable and recyclable materials to produce industrial hoses with up to 95% of ingredients derived from green or non-petroleum raw materials. Continental is working hard to replace petroleum-based oils and plasticizers in our rubber formulations with bio-based renewable materials such as coconut oil, soybean oil, linseed oil, and olive oil. We also hope to use natural fiber materials such as hemp to replace petroleum-based textiles such as polyester, polyamide, and aramid.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Compared with petroleum-based polymers, the use of sugarcane polymers can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85%. The ethanol used to produce this EPDM from sugarcane is carbon-negative, and almost 2 tons of carbon dioxide are produced per ton of polymer. In contrast, petrochemical-based ethanol produces about 2 tons of carbon dioxide per ton of polymer. Finally, the yield of sugarcane ethanol used in EPDM is twice that of corn ethanol.
Product or project name: Sustainable sports flooring based on carbon dioxide
For the first time, the main material technology involved synthetic sports flooring can be partially produced with carbon dioxide-which means that less crude oil is required as raw material. CO2 is added to so-called polyether polyols, which are necessary for the production of adhesives for flooring. The particularly sustainable new material called cardyon® comes from the material manufacturer Covestro, which has developed a breakthrough process to bring the utilization of carbon dioxide in polyether polyols to market maturity. This can save up to one-fifth of the crude oil produced-an innovative contribution to resource conservation and recycling management.
The main goal or goal of the development project is an innovative technology jointly developed by Covestro and its partner RWTH Aachen to make it possible to use carbon dioxide as a plastic raw material. CO2 is used as a supplier of the important element carbon-not as a petroleum-based raw material. Therefore, up to 20% of traditional fossil raw materials can be replaced by carbon dioxide. This new carbon dioxide-based polyol enables our partner Polytan (a member of the Sport Group) to provide its customers with more sustainable products. They set themselves a task to create a new sustainable adhesive based on Covestro's raw material recommendations to meet all the requirements of the International Hockey Federation (FIH). The first successful installation was the CHTC Hockey Club in Krefeld, Germany, which is the venue for international competitions and championships.
The technical challenge that the project team tackled Covestro and its partner Aachen University of Technology jointly completed the development of carbon dioxide-based polyols and its revolutionary process. It is not just a pure technological innovation in the production of plastics and synthetic materials-it can save fossil fuels such as crude oil and reduce the carbon dioxide content in the air. This is a real contribution to effective use of resources, climate protection and recycling. New sports fields made of artificial turf usually contain resilient floors made of recycled styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) particles. But this layer is usually formed using oil-based adhesives, and our Polytan wants to improve this situation. Polytan and Covestro conducted in-depth exchanges on possible raw materials and the process for manufacturing this new adhesive, leading to the development of new products using our CO2-based cardyon®.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? The cardyon® product range is continuously produced in our designated production facility in Dormagen, Germany. These products are used internally as raw materials for different value-added products and sold to the growing customer base in the region. Using cardyon® Adhesive sustainable sports flooring has become a standard product of our partner Polytan, and is sold and installed worldwide, and was recently used in hockey stadiums for major sports events scheduled to be held in Japan in 2020 due to the outbreak of Covid19.
Please describe the contribution of this technology or product to sustainability. Use carbon dioxide and save oil: The use of carbon dioxide as a new raw material is a promising way to make production in the chemical and plastic industries more sustainable. In this way, we use carbon dioxide in the closed loop process and save oil. CO2 is used as a supplier of the important element carbon-not as a petroleum-based raw material. Therefore, up to 20% of traditional fossil raw materials can be replaced by carbon dioxide. On this basis, we hope to provide a comprehensive product portfolio for as many application fields as possible-in line with our vision of making the world a better place.
To further improve the scope of technology or products Polytan has more ideas to broaden the application base: together with our customers, we seek to integrate cardyon® into the last step of the production process, artificial turf backing, to make the entire flooring system uniform and more sustainable.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? At the same time, the RWTH Aachen University is studying the use of carbon dioxide to produce synthetic fibers: together with colleagues from the Technical University of Berlin and our experts, the Aachen researchers have successfully produced high-performance fibers on a large scale and processed them into their first A piece of clothing. The first optical fiber has been produced for demonstration purposes, with the goal of preparing new application solutions for the market.
BEHN MEYER Europe Ltd.
Product or project name: Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) filler technology
The main material technology involves epoxidized natural rubber (ENR), silica
The main goal or purpose of the development project is to modify the silica filler to enable ENR to fully realize its potential. The technical challenge that the project team solves is difficult to mix with high-performance fillers (such as silica) in the past and what is the commercial situation of blending with other elastomers? Technology or product? Early results have been displayed at the Tire Technology Expo
Please describe the contribution of technology or products to sustainability opportunities in many applications: tires and non-tires.
Information provided separately in the scope of further enhancement of technology or product
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Information provided separately
Product or project name: Cabot Engineered Elastomer Composites (E2C™)
The main material technology involved in the E2C solution is the conversion premixed composite solution, which is structurally different from the compound produced by the traditional method, and can provide an excellent filler dispersion level.
The main goal or purpose of the development project E2C solutions are specifically designed to improve the performance, safety and service life of tires, while reducing production costs and environmental impact.
The technical challenge solved by the project team E2C Solutions is produced in a proprietary and patented mixing process. Compared with the traditional mixing method, the undispersed carbon black in the rubber compound is reduced by three times. When properly mixed using Cabot's Light Touch mixing guide, E2C Solutions changes performance through significant improvements in rubber properties, such as reducing hysteresis by 20%, increasing reinforcement by 25%, delaying crack initiation, and slowing crack growth by 70%.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? E2C solutions have been successfully commercialized by industry leaders in the application of tires and industrial rubber products. Cabot’s first E2C solution, DX9730, was launched in February 2020 and is part of the new Durability series of products designed to reduce field failures and maximize the uptime of off-road tires. The contribution of technology or products to sustainable E2C solutions has been proven to break key trade-offs in tire design by lowering operating temperatures and extending tire life by more than 15%. In ordinary mines that use tires made with E2C™ solutions, this change can increase transportation capacity, increase production, and reduce annual downtime due to tire replacement, resulting in potential revenues of up to 150 million US dollars per year. In addition, because the tires manufactured with the E2C™ solution have a longer life and are more energy efficient, raw material consumption and carbon dioxide emissions are reduced, and scrap tires are produced less-which is a benefit for the environment, especially It takes into account that more than 1 billion waste tires are generated worldwide every year. In tire manufacturing, the mixing time and energy required by the E2C™ solution are reduced by 50% compared to traditional products, thus reducing the energy consumption of tire manufacturing and reducing the overall environmental footprint of tire manufacturers.
To further improve the scope of technology or products, we will continue to introduce products for mining applications, such as off-road tires and related industrial rubber product applications. We will also explore how E2C solutions can be used for road tires such as trucks/buses/radial segments to manufacture low rolling resistance tires, thereby drastically reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and at the same time by enabling manufacturers to rethink their value chain and Factory design, and accelerate the innovation and launch cycle of rubber products by adopting dedicated E2C solutions ready for commercialization-doing so can reduce the time and investment required for product development.
Product or project name: self-healing rubber
The main material technology involved is the development of polymers based on sulfur, rapeseed oil and dicyclopentadiene
The main goal or purpose of the development project The new rubber can be used to make flexible, repairable, and sustainable objects-including car tires
The technical challenges solved by the project team ensure that the polymer can be completely repaired and restored to its original strength within a few minutes - even at room temperature
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? R&D stage/see supporting information
Please describe the contribution of the technology or product to sustainability "The basic chemistry of these materials has broad potential for recycling, next-generation adhesives, and additive manufacturing." For further enhancement of the range of technologies or products, please refer to the support information
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? View support information
MCPP (Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation)
Product or project name: Add renewable carbon to a wide range of thermoplastic products
The main material technology involves thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) vinyl elastomer (soft PVC) and bioplastics, oxygen barrier, 3D filament
The main goal or goal of the Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) development project is dedicated to achieving KAITEKI: "Sustainable well-being of mankind, society, and the planet." MCC's high-performance polymer division MCPP's KAITEKI deployment includes comprehensive and consistent integration of renewable carbon A combination of technologies, products and solutions for all markets. Technology: Compounds, Pure Polymers, Modified Polymer Products: Thermoplastic Elastomers, PVC Compounds, Bioplastics, Functional Polymers, Gas Barrier Layer, 3DP Filament Market: Automotive, Consumer Goods, Industry, Packaging
The technical challenge solved by the project team. Renewable carbon is the carbon that circulates around our environment. It can be used as a substitute for the original fossil carbon, released from petroleum and geological formations. In the long run, this extraction will undoubtedly lead to The increase in the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. semester. Renewable carbon can be released from material recycling streams (PCR/PIR), biomass (bio-based plastics), or carbon capture (synthetic photosynthesis), and its preferred use of plastics will help reduce the amount of energy from the geosphere to the atmosphere. Carbon extraction. Thermoplastic elastomers are compounds that have limited ingredients used to combine bio-based building blocks and/or technologies generated from recycled streams because they are often used in high-end applications where technical characteristics, regulatory compliance, and quality are consistent Sex is the main consideration before impact on the benefit of the environment. MCPP has been able to develop a comprehensive solution based on renewable carbon. Thermoplastic elastomers can be proposed under the TEFABLOC brand:-The formula contains 40% bio-based carbon (bio-based TPE)-or up to 70% recycled materials (mostly post-consumer materials), with a wide range of hardness. It is important that both solutions can use natural colors (when most PCR materials are black), so they are easy to color, suitable for injection molding and extrusion molding, bonding with polyolefins, suitable for contact with skin and acting as Drip solution TPE processing MCPP has also developed a vinyl compound that can be processed by slush molding for automotive instrument panels and interior panels, which can contain up to 48% bio-based carbon, while meeting the high-end standards of automotive OEMs.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? TPE and PVC compounds using renewable carbon are ready for commercialization and have been introduced to the market during the last K exhibition in 2019. Industrial and consumer products, mainly used for handles/overmolding (on recycled polyolefin), sanitary parts and industrial seals. The automotive industry has successfully evaluated bio-based solutions for interior components, and MCPP is still ready for commercialization.
Please describe the contribution of this technology or product to sustainability. Adding a large amount of renewable carbon (renewable carbon or bio-based carbon) to plastic is a real step to decouple the use of fossil resources. The use of fossil resources has cost hundreds of Ten thousand years of time to create, but can be used for months/years (if not less) before turning into waste or carbon dioxide emissions. Using carbon already in our next environment and using energy wisely will help reduce the long-term transfer of carbon from the geosphere to the atmosphere, which will ultimately lead to global warming of our planet.
To further improve the scope of technology or products The main improvement MCPP is looking for is to gradually increase the amount of renewable carbon contained in its compound portfolio. This will require MCPP to conduct additional R&D and establish close partnerships with our relevant and consistent suppliers to develop innovative and sustainable solutions for the market. MCPP is conducting LCA research to develop quantitative value on how such initiatives can benefit the carbon footprint and other important environmental impacts. Of course, preliminary studies have confirmed that this initiative is moving in the right direction to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? Mitsubishi Chemical High Performance Polymers (MCPP) is applying this method to a full range of products (not only elastomers) and technologies to provide a wide range of solutions based on this renewable carbon. Most of the solutions are already on the market, and we intend to introduce more solutions in realizing KAITEKI's mission.
Product or project name: Kraton IMSS™ technology
The main material technology involved is the development of Kraton's new high-fluidity hydrogenated styrene block copolymer (HSBC) and the formulation that enables the compound to be injection molded into the skin of automobile dashboards.
The main goal or goal of the development project. Our goal is to provide an alternative to PVC powder slush molding skins for the automotive industry.
The technical challenge that the project team responded to. We developed a material that has a proper balance between low enough melt viscosity to fill a long and narrow mold and high enough physical and mechanical properties to meet OEM performance requirements.
What is the commercial status of the technology or product? Kraton IMSS compounds are produced by licensed compound manufacturers and are in advanced stages of verification at multiple original equipment manufacturers and their tier 1 suppliers. The first commercial model using Kraton IMSS technology is scheduled to start production in the fourth quarter of 2020.
Please describe the contribution of this technology or product to sustainability. Compared with slush-molded PVC, Kraton IMSS compounds have the following advantages: • Lightweight parts, which help reduce carbon dioxide emissions • Reprocessing, which helps reduce landfill/ Incineration-Both are used to manufacture waste materials for vehicle scrap management. • Does not contain phthalate plasticizers, thereby improving the air quality in the car. • Achieve safer low-temperature airbag deployment and prevent the formation of harmful debris • No need Topcoat to avoid VOC emissions and worker exposure • Compared with slush, the energy consumption in the conversion process is lower, thereby reducing the overall environmental impact
Further improvements in the range of technologies or products include IMSS materials that can be foamed. This will allow the replacement of the currently used PU thermoset foam backing to achieve a fully recyclable IP or door panel assembly.
Are there any further comments to further emphasize the contribution of this development project to environmental sustainability? All-electric vehicles will make a significant contribution to the sustainability of transportation, but their limited mileage represents an obstacle. Kraton IMSS™ technology helps reduce vehicle weight and supports the growth of electric vehicles in the market. Learn more by watching the video on Kraton's website: https://www.kraton.com/products/automotive/imssStory.php
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