German specialty chemicals manufacturer Lanxess (Leverkusen; www.lanxess.com) has touted plans to invest EUR 12m to convert 50% of its ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) synthetic rubber production in Geleen / The Netherlands to the new “Keltan ACE” technology, which is said to reduce energy requirements. In addition, the new technology does not require catalyst extraction because of its high catalyst efficiency and is said to enable the manufacture of new EPDM rubber grades. The German group said Keltan ACE would be implemented on its 80,000 t/y line in Geleen – the largest of the three it operates at the site with total capacity for 160,000 t/y.

Lanxess also said it would build a new headquarters in Geleen for its global EPDM rubber business, with construction slated to begin in spring 2012 and the offices, expected to house about 120 employees, are scheduled to be inaugurated in early 2013. The group had intensified its rubber activities in Geleen in May this year, when it acquired the EPDM rubber business of DSM (Herleen / The Netherlands; www.dsm.com) for EUR 310m – see also Plasteurope.com of 15.12.2010.

In another new EPDM-related development, Lanxess recently announced plans to commercially produce the material from bio-based ethylene by the end of this year. Sold under the brand nam “Keltan Eco”, the rubber is derived from sugarcane-based ethylene produced by Braskem (São Paulo / Brazil; www.braskem.com.br).

EPDM is mostly found in the automotive industry but also used in plastics modification, cable and wire, construction and in the oil additive industry. Its properties include low density, good resistance to heat, oxidation, chemicals and weathering as well as good electrical insulation.