Trelleborg: EPDM compounds with reduced carbon footprint for industrial sealing applications

Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has expanded its materials portfolio with two EPDM compounds featuring a reduced Product Carbon Footprint (PCF). According to the company, the new elastomer materials, available in hardness grades of 70 Shore A and 80 Shore A, enable a reduction in the carbon footprint of molded parts by up to 55% compared with conventional EPDM materials, without compromising mechanical or application-specific performance.

The new compounds are based on EPDM base polymers derived from renewable, non-fossil feedstocks. The raw materials include biological waste and residual materials such as used cooking oil, straw, forestry residues and tall oil. In addition, Trelleborg uses recovered carbon black sourced, among other materials, from end-of-life tires.

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The portfolio includes the E7T11 compound with a hardness of 70 Shore A and the E8T12 compound with a hardness of 80 Shore A. Both materials are suitable for the production of O-rings, seals and custom-molded parts. Target applications include the automotive industry, machinery and plant engineering, process industries, automation technology, the energy sector, and agricultural and construction machinery. The materials are also intended for use in pumps, valves, pneumatic cylinders, solar modules, and heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR) systems.

According to the company, the carbon footprint of the compounds is reduced by 51% for E7T11 and 61% for E8T12 compared with conventional EPDM materials. For molded parts produced from these compounds, PCF reductions of up to 33% and 55%, respectively, are reported.

The compounds were developed in collaboration with EPDM manufacturer Arlanxeo. The "Keltan Eco-BC" polymers used are ISCC PLUS certified and are based on the mass balance approach, which documents the use of circular feedstocks throughout the value chain.

To calculate the Product Carbon Footprint, Trelleborg worked with Sphera Solutions. The underlying methodology is currently undergoing validation by the certification organization Dekra.

More information:
www.trelleborg.com

Trelleborg AB, Stockholm, Schweden

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