Versalis link-up to develop recycled-content elastomers 

Milan, Italy – Versalis AG is expanding its circular economy efforts with a recent agreement to develop new products from recycled end-of-life tires (ELTs).

The Milan-based materials supplier announced 17 Nov that it had joined forces with Italian reclaimed rubber manufacturer AGR Tech to develop new technologies and products using recycled rubber.

The partners aim to “pool” expertise to develop and market a new range of elastomer-based products made from granulated post-consumer rubber.

Versalis will contribute laboratories at its Ravenna and Ferrara research centres and provide the necessary equipment for the development of formulations and technology. 

AGR will offer the devulcanisation technology platform at it is currently employing at its plant in Cumiana, Turin, in northern Italy.

The initiative will be developed in collaboration with the EcoTyre Consortium, which manages a national network for the collection and processing of ELTs and will provide the two companies with granulated rubber.

With the new initiative, Versalis said it aimed to expand its Versalis Revive range, which are made of recycled materials and include elastomeric products.