News and industry insights on Development and supply of rubber and elastomeric materials for industrial and consumer uses.
Material circularity advanced across elastomers and fillers. Evonik began EMEA‑scale production of its ISCC PLUS‑certified ULTRASIL eCO from Adapazarı, delivering mass‑balanced circular silica for tire compounds. ARLANXEO and Covestro completed the switch to ISCC PLUS‑certified chlorine in chloroprene rubber, cutting Baypren’s average GWP about 20% from 2025 levels. Lanxess introduced mass‑balanced acetone via Borouge’s Borvida B‑acetone, with LCA‑based footprint claims up to −175% per kilogram under biogenic accounting.
EU decarbonization moved into implementation as Iberdrola won eight industrial heat electrification projects under the Innovation Fund, targeting sectors including tyres and chemicals. The portfolio will require ~240 GWh/year of renewable electricity, mobilize >150 MW via PPAs, and deploy electric boilers for high‑demand processes in Spain.
For EV thermal protection, WACKER presented ceramifying silicone and thermally conductive potting compounds with room‑temperature cure and low sedimentation. ELASTOSIL RT 7616 TC (1.6 W/mK) and RT 7624 TC (2.4 W/mK) target power‑electronics potting; ELASTOSIL R 531/60 provides busbar insulation that ceramifies under fire.
AGC obtained UL 2809 Environmental Claim Validation confirming, via mass balance, that 100% of the fluorine in AFLAS FFKM is allocated to recycled fluorite feedstock. The verification, aligned with AGC plus‑2026, targets seals for harsh semiconductor environments and complements prior PTFE validation.
Portfolio adjustments continued as Huntsman sold Huntsman Gomet in Italy to Trelleborg for €42.5 million, exiting molded rubber aftermarket components and directing proceeds to debt reduction. On ESG benchmarking, Synthos earned an EcoVadis Gold Medal (97th percentile), citing plans to refine climate, circularity and responsible sourcing initiatives.
