Lanxess to produce bio-based EPDM rubber in Brazil

EPDM is conventionally produced using the petroleum-based raw materials ethylene and propylene. Now, Lanxess plans to use ethylene derived purely from the renewable resource sugar cane. This bio-based form of ethylene is produced by dehydrating ethanol from Brazilian sugar cane. Braskem S.A. (Sao Paulo, Brazil) will supply the bio-based ethylene via pipeline to Lanxess.

Triunfo currently produces 40,000 tonnes per year of regular EPDM rubber and it is expected that the first batches of the product Keltan Eco will amount to several 100 tonnes. The company's other EPDM production sites are based in Geleen, The Netherlands, Marl, Germany, and Orange, TX. All EPDM grades will be sold in the future under the brand name Keltan.-[email protected]