Sustainable Technology for Advanced Elastomers

Synthetic elastomers and composites are high performance materials with continued increase in demand due to various unique functional properties. These attributes will continue to lead to higher demand in tire and non-tire industries. The global market expected to grow at CAGR of 5.1% from 2021 to 2031 and likely to cross the value of US $ 68 billion by end of 2031 from 39 billion US$ in 2020. Noticeable developments for sustainable technology of synthetic elastomer are expected in Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR), Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR), Nitrile Rubber (NBR), Chloroprene Rubber (CR), Butyl & Halo butyl Rubber (IIR & HIIR), Ethylene Propylene Diene Rubber (EPDM), Silicon Rubber etc. The features of self-healing and shape memory of rubber leads to novel applications in emerging growth sectors. In addition to these developments, the progress in waste tire rubber (WTR) and waste vulcanized rubber (WVR) management is progressing with new scientific and technological advancements involving C-S and S-S bonds breakage along with the depolymerization. The present talk will discuss new developments in SBR, PBR and Butyl & Halo butyl Elastomers with emphasis on recycling for sustainable technology and products development.