DSM Elastomers advances EPDM catalyst technology

Heerlen, The Netherlands - DSM NV is to invest up to EUR 10 million to implement a new advanced catalyst technology at one of its existing EPDM rubber facilities in Geleen, the Netherlands. Mechanical completion of the plant is expected in late 2008, the company announced 15 Oct.

According to DSM, the technology, called Keltan ACE [for Advanced Catalysis Elastomers] will enable the production of a new class of EPDM products. These products will contain high amounts of 2-vinyl-5-norbornene (VNB) as third monomer and provide excellent peroxide curing efficiency.

High-VNB products offer new avenues for cost-effective compounding of EPDM formulations that require peroxide curing, claims DSM.  The balance of physical properties and high temperature resistance can be markedly improved with this new class of Keltan products, the Dutch group added.

Bob Hartmayer, president of DSM Elastomers said the catalysts facilitate the production of tailor-make EPDMs with properties that cannot be achieved with current Ziegler-Natta technology and metallocene catalysts. DSM, he said, aims to produce such new types of Keltan products alongside its present Ziegler-Natta EPDM grades

“These high-VNB products respond extremely well to peroxide cures, offering our customers the possibility to lower the amount of expensive peroxide while maintaining material properties," according to Herman Dikland, business manager for Keltan ACE. "Alternatively, compounds can be loaded to a much higher extent, while maintaining material properties."