15 Aug 2022
ERJ spotlights rubber-related technologies lined up for K2022, the world’s largest plastics & rubber trade fair, 19-26 Oct in Dusseldorf
Wacker Chemie is to launch industrial-grade silicone rubber compounds whose precursors are derived from plant-based raw materials at the K2022 tradeshow, 19-26 Oct, in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The biomethanol-based Elastosil eco products – produced via the mass balance approach – include one liquid and six solid silicone rubber grades, as well as selected Silmix silicone rubber compounds.
Demonstration products for the upcoming launch include an injection-moulded lemon press made from a Silmix eco food-grade compound comprising biomethanol-based silicone rubber.
Methanol and silicon are the main raw materials for silicone production. Methanol is first converted to methyl chloride and then reacted with elemental silicon produce methylchlorosilanes – feedstock for silicone rubber.
Wacker emphasises that the biomethanol used in its processes is derived exclusively from plant residues, which are suitable neither for food production nor as animal feed.
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