DSM Elastomers running trials of ACE production technology

ERJ staff report (DS)

Heerlen, The Netherlands - DSM Elastomers has successfully started its first Keltan EPDM production run using ACE technology. This advanced catalyst technology combines high catalyst activity, the potential for significant energy savings and new product opportunities.

In March 2007 the company announced its plans to implement unique advanced catalyst technology in one of its existing plants in Geleen, The Netherlands to support the development and commercialisation of a new range of EPDM products. These new products contain relatively large amounts of 2-vinyl-5-norbornene (VNB) as the diene third monomer and promise to reduce costs of peroxide-cured compounds.

“Keltan products with a high content of VNB can be advantageously applied in peroxide cure applications”, Herman Dikland, Keltan ACE Business Manager, explained. “Typically 30 up to 70% of cross-linking peroxide can be reduced from compound formulations, depending on the type of EPDM to be replaced. Apart from the obvious savings on the cross-linking peroxide, low peroxide dosages are beneficial to prevent blooming of peroxide decomposition products and reduce volatile emissions thereby positively affecting odour, taste, fogging and shrinkage characteristics. Moreover, the high-temperature performance characteristics of products based on VNB-EPDM are excellent, resulting from a low degree of residual unsaturation in the final article”.

The company will start an internal evaluation of its first Keltan ACE production run and based on the results will start the sampling of its first high-VNB product in the course of 2009.