Vegan material reduces CO2 during tyre production

Speciality chemicals company Lanxess has added a plant-based raw material variant to the Aktiplast PP product range produced by its Rhein Chemie business unit. These processing promoters for polymer blends are used in the production of tyres and a wide range of technical rubber articles. Aktiplast PP-veg, which is based on renewable raw materials, was developed specifically in response to a customer requirement from Asia. An international tyre manufacturer based in Europe has also expressed “great interest” in the material, Lanxess adds.

Unlike conventional products, Aktiplast PP-veg is manufactured solely from vegetable oils. The proportion of renewable raw materials in Aktiplast PP-veg is around 90 per cent, therefore its CO2 footprint is significantly reduced. The starting point are raw materials made from the fruits of oil palms. These are ecologically more sustainable than coconut palms, rapeseed or sunflowers as they provide by far the highest oil yield per hectare of farmland area.

The processing promoter is particularly suitable for polymer blends based on natural rubber. It reduces the viscosity of rubber compounds and significantly improves injection and extrusion behaviour, also in combination with functionalised polymers. Depending on the compound composition, the product improves scorch behaviour, promotes vulcanisation and ensures easy demoulding without contamination of the mould.