Ethylene propylene copolymer (EPM), or a terpolymer with a diene (EPDM), is a type of synthetic rubber, which is characterised by a wide range of applications. The ‘E’ letter refers to ethylene, ‘P’ to propylene and ‘D’ to diene and ‘M’ refers to a kind of monomer with respect to its classification in ASTM standard D-1418. The M class includes rubbers having a saturated chain of the polymethylene type.

EPDM rubber, therefore, is a terpolymer of ethylene,propylene and a diene-component and the Dienes currently used in the manufacture of EPDM rubbers are dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), ethylidene norbornene (ENB) and vinyl norbornene (VNB). Hexadiene (HD) is rarely being used in making EPDM these days.

The ethylene and propylene monomers combine to form a chemically saturated, stable polymer backbone providing excellent heat, oxidation, ozone and weather aging. A third, nonconjugated diene monomer is terpolymerized in a controlled manner to maintain a saturated backbone and place the reactive unsaturation in a side chain available for vulcanization or polymer modification chemistry.

The two most widely used diene termonomers are primarily ethylidene norbornene (ENB) followed by dicyclopentadiene (DCPD).Each diene incorporates with a different tendency for introducing long chain branching or polymer side chains that influence processing and rates of vulcanization by sulfur or peroxide cures. Generally, ENB type is better heat resistant than DCPD type. Peroxide cure EPDM, boosted with coagents provide better heat resistant than sulphur/accelerator cured EPDM.

This polymer is the most water resistant rubber available, and this resistance is maintained to high temperatures (up to 180°C in steam with peroxide cured compound). The highest temperature resistance is achieved by using peroxide cured grades. It is thus used extensively under water cables (sea water as well). Before EPDM, Chloprene rubber (CR) was extensively used wherever weather resistance properties were important. Upon discovery of EPDM in 1963 , it quickly took over existing weather resistant market of Chloroprene rubber (CR).

Ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM) is one of the most widely used and highly-developing synthetic rubbers. EPDM business will reach US 6.9 b $ by end 1Q,2020. Currently, their total capacity is about 1.65m ton/ Yr. and it takes the third place in the world synthetic rubber consumption after styrene-butadiene and butadiene rubber. As of August 2019, there are 15 big companies in the world that produce EPDM.

In order to present a competitive landscape of the global EPDM market, key market players are witnessed as LANXESS AG (Germany), ExxonMobil Chemical (U.S.), Dow Elastomer (U.S.), Mitsui Chemical (Japan), Kumho Polychem (South Korea), Lion Copolymer (U.S.), Versalis (Italy), JSR Corporation (Japan), Jilin Chemical (China), SK Global Chemical (Japan), Nizhnekamsk Neftekhim Inc (Russia), and Sumitomo Chemical Company Ltd (Japan) have been profiled. With a huge number of EPDM manufacturers worldwide and with a number of different grades by each of these manufacturers, EPDM is one of the versatile elastomer in India now . EPDM has different grades in the industry based on :

• Mooney viscosity
• Type of diene content
• Percentage mole of diene content and
• Ethylene propylene ratio
• Bimodal Type

With current increase in EPDM uses , India now badly need EPDM manufacturing plant to protect its foreign currency. Another important application India need is compulsory application of EPDM based Roofing in rainy states to protect against damage of multistory buildings (Mumbai). EPDM has been used as a covering to waterproof roofing in western countries, Japan, China, Taiwan and countries in South East Asia. Major applications of EPDM are :

• Other than automobile glass-run channels, EPDM is also used in radiators, garden and appliance hose, tubing, pond liners, washers, belts, electrical insulation, vibrators, O-rings, solar panel heat collectors and speaker cone surrounds.
• It is also used as a medium for water resistance in electrical cable-jointing, geomembranes, rubber mechanical goods, plastic impact modification, thermoplastic etc.
• EPDM is used as blends in Butyl rubber for Inner-tube application.
• EPDM is used in PC side wall , black or white. Extensively used in color BC tyres for children.
• EPDM roofing is very popular in developed countries.
• With EPDM Roofing membranes rainwater harvesting is also very popular. EPDM roofing does not pollute the run-off rainwater.

Rubber roofing has the benefit that it does not pollute the runoff rain water. Water could be used for personal sanitation / gardenining / hygiene. White oil may be the best processing oil. They are manufactured in the form of calendared sheet and covered with a plastic such that its application on floor is easy upon removal of plastic and then they are applied in roof floor. EPDM rubber sheet can be installed either fully adhered, mechanically attached or ballasted, with the seams of the roofing system sealed with liquid adhesives or specially formulated tape. EPDM Waterproof Roofing system has delivered more than six decades of commercial roofing success by building upon a heritage of innovation in rubber polymer technology.

Dr Samir Majumdar, Rubber Consultant (India & Asia pacific), has served in leading tyre companies like JK Tyre, Kyoto Japan Tire, among others. He was technical and R&D head (Asia Pacific) in ExxonMobil. He has authored several research papers and technical books. smajumdar501234@yahoo.co.in

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The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has sounded an alarm over an exceptionally difficult economic situation facing the rubber sector. Soaring raw material prices and persistently high energy costs, exacerbated by the Iran war, are coinciding with weak industrial demand. wdk Chief economist Michael Berthel noted an almost unprecedented economic disparity, as raw material costs approach historical highs from 2011 and 2022 while a lack of demand prevents any offset for manufacturers.

Since the final quarter of 2025, prices for key inputs have risen sharply. Natural rubber has jumped more than 40 percent within months, while butadiene-based synthetic rubbers have increased over 30 percent. EPDM synthetic rubber, carbon black and oil-based plasticisers have all risen more than 20 percent, with some individual chemicals exceeding 40 percent cost growth in just a few weeks.

Energy prices remain a major burden, with Middle East developments fuelling market uncertainty. Risks to international transport and supply chains persist, and German rubber companies are closely watching potential impacts on raw material availability and global logistics flows.

Berthel warned that firms face mounting pressure from high costs, geopolitical instability and structural disadvantages in Germany, with no short-term relief in sight. The industry depends heavily on fair and reliable partnerships across the value chain, as processing companies alone cannot absorb the current strain. He called for fair solutions and a shared understanding of this exceptional situation.

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The Rubber Board of India has confirmed the continuation of all existing central sector schemes for the 2026-27 fiscal year at unchanged rates. Financial aid for new planting will be restricted to estates utilising poly bag or root trainer plants sourced solely from Board-approved nurseries, with applicants required to submit the original purchase bill. This mandatory verification step aims to ensure quality and authenticity of planting materials used across the sector.

Support for rain guarding and spraying operations will be channelled exclusively through Rubber Producers’ Societies. These societies must include GST bills for all acquired materials when applying. The official timeline for submitting applications will be announced separately by the Board, giving producers adequate time to prepare documentation and coordinate with their respective societies before the deadline.

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The Rubber Board of India has announced a temporary engagement for a young professional within its Market Promotion Division, located at the RRII campus in Puthuppally, Kottayam. The selected individual will assist with division activities and promote ‘mRube’, the electronic trading platform for natural rubber.

Candidates must hold an MBA in Marketing or Agri Business Management with computer knowledge, while skills in digital marketing, sales or market research and proficiency in English and Hindi are preferred. Applicants aged up to 30 years as of 1 May 2026, will be considered for the one-year role, which offers a consolidated monthly pay of INR 25,000.

Interested individuals should send their applications to the Deputy Director (Marketing) at the Central Laboratory Building, RRII, Rubber Board PO, Kottayam – 686009 by 19 May 2026. Shortlisted names will appear on the Rubber Board’s website with interview details, as no separate communication will be sent.

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Bekaert has officially finalised its acquisition of Bridgestone’s tyre reinforcement operations in China and Thailand, after securing all necessary regulatory approvals and meeting standard closing conditions. The deal, now fully completed, marks a significant step in the Belgian company’s expansion strategy.

The transaction brings under Bekaert’s control two production facilities: Bridgestone (Shenyang) Steel Cord Co., Ltd. in China and Bridgestone Metalfa (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in Thailand. These plants specialise in manufacturing high-quality tyre cord products exclusively for Bridgestone tyres, and they will continue to supply Bridgestone under the new ownership, further deepening the longstanding partnership between the two firms.

Financially, the acquisition is expected to add roughly EUR 80 million to Bekaert’s annual consolidated sales. The EUR 60 million cash consideration for the deal was funded from the company’s available cash reserves.

Curd Vandekerckhove, CEO Rubber Reinforcement, said, “With the completion of this acquisition within our Rubber Reinforcement division, we are pleased to officially welcome the plant teams in China and Thailand to Bekaert. Our immediate focus is on a smooth transition and operational continuity while continuing to serve Bridgestone as a key strategic partner. The completion of the acquisition further strengthens the position of Bekaert in the tyre cord market, expands the global manufacturing footprint and deepens our longstanding partnership with Bridgestone. A long-term supply agreement ensures continued delivery of high-quality tyre reinforcement within a trusted supplier model.”

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