Brazilian automotive supplier Autotravi (Caxias do Sul; www.autotravi.com) has selected bio-based EPDM rubber from German speciality chemicals producer Lanxess (Cologne; www.lanxess.com) for its window rubber seals. Autotravi supplies the seals to major Brazilian bus manufacturer Marcopolo.

The rubber, which carries the “Keltan Eco” 5470 brand, contains up to 70% ethylene obtained from sugarcane and is very durable thanks to its highly crystalline structure and narrow molecular weight distribution, Lanxess said. Keltan 5470 and the bio-based variation Keltan Eco 5470 differ only in terms of the origin of the ethylene used in manufacturing, it added.

Keltan Eco 5470 is one of six bio-based rubber polymers from Lanxess. “All six grades are now available on the market,” said Marjan van Urk, business development manager of Lanxess’ Keltan elastomers business. “Interest in the industry is high, which, undoubtedly, is due to the increased demand from the market for sustainable products.”