Butyl Rubber Business Unit has developed a new polymerization process (patent pending for parts of it) enabling the manufacture of high isoprene butyl rubber with up to eight molecular percent (four times more than previously) of isopropene contents and providing for improved adhesion for tires based on butyl caouchouc together with less abrasion and further improved impermeability of inner liners.

However, the new butyl caoutchouc has even more to offer: due to its higher double-bonding density it can now be cross-linked with peroxide enabling the development of new applications. In general, the higher functionality of “high isoprene” butyl caoutchouc facilitates access to new technologies and additional applications, for example for the sealing of aluminum electrolytic capacitors, the soles of high-performance footwear or for rubber stoppers in the pharmaceutical industry.

This innovative approach has significantly extended the application range for butyl.