Sustainability in Rubber Manufacturing: ELBEX’s Green Initiatives and Market Trends
November 3, 2023
Sustainability has become a major talking point across practically every industry in recent years. From shifting market trends to government initiatives to promote sustainability, the drive to be eco-friendly is everywhere — including the rubber industry.
Understanding the Environmental Challenges in Rubber Production
What many people don’t realize is that rubber is a natural product. Natural rubber is produced from the rubber tree. However, this has historically led to deforestation and loss of biodiversity, especially when natural forests are cleared to plant rubber trees. Synthetic rubber, on the other hand, is largely derived from crude oil, which can also contribute to climate change. Rubber production processes also have the potential to be wasteful due to inefficient mixing and manufacturing.
ELBEX’s Commitment to Meeting the Green Challenge
At ELBEX, we understand the challenges inherent in rubber production, as well as the growing demand for more eco-friendly rubber products. There are several things we can do to achieve this, starting with more efficient on-site manufacturing and waste reduction. On-site manufacturing reduces emissions from transporting rubber extrusions, and improved quality control standards minimize waste while also ensuring that finished products meet durability and sustainability standards. This has helped us achieve ISO 9001:2015 without Design certification. Striving to source rubber from more sustainable sources can also go a long way in reducing the environmental impact of rubber manufacturing.
At ELBEX, we believe that industry leaders must play a role in shaping a sustainable future. As such, we are committed to improving our practices and materials to achieve more environmentally friendly operations.
Choosing rubber materials can make all the difference for the performance and longevity of your rubber extrusions. The wrong choice can lead to compromised performance and even product failure or costly redesigns – so it’s normal to feel overwhelmed by this decision. Fortunately, with Elbex’s data-driven material selection criteria for specific rubber extrusion applications, you don’t have to leave this chance. Here’s how we help you pick the right materials, every time. The Guiding Questions: Elbex's Strategic Selection Process Choosing the right materials largely comes down to asking in-depth questions to understand the application and its operating environment. Our engineers ask critical questions like: What will the part’s primary function be? What are the application’s temperature requirements (both high and low)? Will the part be exposed to specific chemicals or fluids? Will the part be located indoors or outdoors (UV, ozone, weather exposure)? Does the part need to meet any regulatory requirements, such as food-grade, fire-retardant? What is the target cost per part? The answers to these questions allow us to select the right compound for each extrusion, ensuring optimal performance while still fitting within your budget. A Closer Look: Key Elastomer Properties & Their Applications When selecting rubber materials for different applications, we look at their distinct characteristics. For example, durometer (or hardness) directly impacts a material’s sealing and abrasion. You generally want a softer material for better sealing, but harder for durability. Here’s how some of the most common elastomers compare: Silicone rubber: Silicone rubber properties include solid performance in both extremely hot and very cold temperatures, excellent flexibility, and strong UV/weathering resistance. Silicone is often used in high-heat applications, as well as the medical and food industries. EPDM rubber: Common EPDM rubber applications include outdoor seals, gaskets, and weatherstripping. This material’s resistance to water, ozone, sunlight, and weathering make it great for outdoor use. Neoprene rubber: Neoprene rubber applications can be quite varied thanks to its resistance to oil, heat, and flame. This versatile, all-purpose material is often a good fit for industrial and automotive applications. Nitrile rubber: Like neoprene, nitrile rubber applications often include the automotive and manufacturing industries thanks to its excellent resistance to oils, fuels, and many chemicals. The Elbex Advantage: Expertise at Your Service Choosing rubber materials is a critical step in any project. With Elbex on your side as a true collaborative partner, you get the unparalleled expertise and guidance you need to make the right choice, every time. Our goal is to empower you with useful information and help you find value-driven solutions that balance your cost and performance needs. With our material selection criteria for specific rubber extrusion applications, you can have confidence that the final product will meet every performance, cost, and environmental need you have. Contact us today to get started!
Modern architecture needs to deliver both aesthetic appeal and long-term building performance. This requires components that help buildings withstand harsh exterior conditions while maintaining their structural integrity. With Elbex, you get an expert partner who can produce a wide range of custom rubber profiles for architecture. Here’s how we can help. The Unseen Heroes: Functions of Architectural Rubber Architectural rubber extrusions play a variety of essential roles in modern buildings. They fill voids and seal surfaces to keep out air, water, and sound for energy efficiency and occupant comfort. UV-resistant rubber profiles for facades ensure a proper fit between different building materials. Many glazing systems and seals reduce vibration and prevent noise. All of these solutions work together to improve building durability and performance. A Crucial Differentiator: UV and Ozone Resistance UV and ozone resistant rubber extrusions for exterior architectural applications are especially important for building projects. Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays and ozone can cause standard rubber to crack, become brittle, and lose its sealing properties. UV and ozone resistant profiles use carefully formulated material mixtures to prevent these issues and better protect the building's aesthetic and functional performance. A Portfolio of Precision-Engineered Solutions At Elbex, we produce a wide portfolio of rubber extrusions specifically formulated for architectural needs. Glazing systems set glass, provide environmental barriers and reduce vibration. Gaskets and seals protect against water, air, and sound. Bulb seals provide maximum sealing power for doors, windows, and hatches, while D-sections fill voids to provide sealing, vibration, and noise control. Setting blocks minimize uneven surfaces and provide support by positioning and seating materials. We also produce silicone sheeting, which can be used in a wide range of architectural projects. The Elbex Partnership: Advantages Beyond the Product At Elbex, our engineers work directly with your architects and building engineers to find the perfect solution for your project. This enables us to deliver architectural rubber extrusions that meet your exact specifications, while also meeting all regulatory standards and building codes to ensure lasting structural integrity. With our expertise, commitment to quality, and value-added services like vulcanized splicing, cutting, printing, and taping, you can count on us to help you get the job done. Contact us today to learn more about how our custom solutions will enable your buildings to stand the test of time.
In construction, manufacturing, oil, and gas, a key part of site safety involves protecting critical infrastructure. In such environments, pipe seals and pipe ramps play an essential role in preventing damage, leaks, and costly delays. With Elbex’s custom rubber pipe ramps and seals for a wide range of applications, you can get the protection you need to keep your operations running smoothly. The Unseen Heroes of Construction and Infrastructure Pipe ramps and seals may seem small, but they play a vital role in construction, manufacturing, underground infrastructure, and elsewhere. Namely, they protect pipes, hoses, cables, and conduits from load-bearing traffic, machinery, or environmental factors that could damage or destroy them. The added protection offered by these rubber extrusions helps prevent issues such as punctures, bursts, and leaks that delay projects and cause significant financial losses. The ELBEX Advantage in Pipe Ramps With Elbex, you get even higher-quality pipe ramps and seals thanks to our precision manufacturing and customization options. Our advanced extrusion process creates durable rubber profiles that are fully cured and cross-linked for lasting performance. Rather than relying on a pre-existing inventory, we create fully custom rubber pipe ramps to match the unique specifications of your application. By managing all custom tool and die design services in-house, you get faster turnaround times and lower costs. Beyond Ramps: High-Performance Pipe Seals Our rubber pipe seals play a critical role in creating airtight and watertight barriers. Our team uses their in-depth knowledge of different rubber materials to help you select the right material for your particular application and its hazards, be they heat, chemical exposure, or water. We can also help you account for any applicable regulatory standards or building codes. This helps the finished pipe seals withstand extreme environments and deliver the long-term reliability you need in these critical projects. Why ELBEX is Your Go-To Partner With ISO 9001:2015 certification, you can have confidence that our products are safe, reliable, and of the highest quality. Perhaps even more importantly, we believe in working as a proactive partner by providing valuable insights and advice, as well as helping you with design challenges and finding cost-effective solutions. And with a full range of services like high-speed auto cutting, splicing, and taping, we’re well equipped to provide a complete solution for your needs. If you need a pipe ramps manufacturer to secure your systems and protect your bottom line, contact us today.
