Increasing recycled content of an automotive EPDM formulation without process interventions
by Christos K. Georgantopoulos, Omya International AG; and Gokce Bakiler, Irem Seçkin Iscan and Özge Aksoy, Erenli Kaucuk & Plastic Sanayi A.S.
During the last decade, several environmental and chemical regulations in Europe have indirectly encouraged the increase of recycled content in polymer and rubber compounds. These regulations focus on sustainability, pollution reduction and a circular economy. Under the European Green Deal 2019/631, sustainable and recycled rubber products are gradually promoted. The Circular Economy Action Plan further supports this transition to sustainability by encouraging the use of recycled and alternative fillers in rubber production in order to reduce the overall carbon footprint and increase the recycled content.