The rubber industry is looking out for reducing or removing formaldehyde and resorcinol-formaldehyde chemicals from its specifications.
Traditional chemistry for water-based fabric to rubber bonding uses formaldehyde as the active ingredient for linking resorcinol to latex. Formaldehyde is a key ingredient to build a chemical structure that bonds the fabric to the rubber compound during curing.
Most of the industry’s efforts so far have gone into RF-Free chemistry for NR/SBR or CR (Neoprene) adhesion. The business volume is in these rubber compounds, especially for the tire and belting industries.
With our expertise in water-based adhesion to other rubbers – for example peroxide and sulphur EPDM – Compotex is particularly looking to develop new chemical formulations for these rubber compounds. Because it is less likely other companies will do so.
Compotex RF-Free Development
The development of new chemistries for rubber adhesion takes years. Partnerships between Compotex, chemical companies, textile companies and rubber companies will be key to these developments.
A high level of commitment is needed by all companies with this ambition.
Please join us.
