Driven by the global goal of carbon neutrality, the sustainable development of silicone rubber materials has become a focus of the industry. By developing green synthesis processes, improving recycling rates, and exploring bio-based alternatives, silicone rubber is gradually constructing a closed-loop system for its entire life cycle, from production to disposal.

1. Breakthroughs in Closed-Loop Recycling Technology

The cross-linked structure of traditional silicone rubber makes it difficult to be directly recycled. Researchers have developed a chemical recycling technology based on de-cross-linking reactions. By breaking the silicon-oxygen bonds through acid/alkali catalysis or pyrolysis, waste silicone rubber can be degraded into reusable monomers or oligomers. For example, using tetramethylammonium hydroxide to catalyze de-cross-linking can achieve a recycling rate of over 90% for cross-linked silicone rubber, and the purity of the recycled products meets the requirements for polymerization. This technology has been applied to the regeneration of medical-grade silicone rubber waste, reducing resource waste and environmental pollution.

2. Industrialization Progress of Bio-based Silicone Rubber

Using plant-based materials (such as rapeseed oil and cellulose) as raw materials, bio-based silicone rubber is synthesized through reactions such as epoxidation and hydrosilylation. Such materials retain the high elasticity and weather resistance of traditional silicone rubber, while also possessing biodegradable properties. Experiments show that silicone rubber with 30% bio-based components has a degradation rate of 45% in soil within 6 months, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. Currently, bio-based silicone rubber has entered pilot applications in fields such as automotive seals and packaging materials.

3. Construction of a Circular Economy Model

Establishing an industrial chain of "production - use - recycling - regeneration." For example, a German company has launched a silicone rubber product leasing service. Users regularly replace and recycle old products, which are then regenerated into new products through de-cross-linking technology, extending the material's life cycle by 3 to 5 times. This model greatly reduces raw material consumption and carbon emissions, providing an example of sustainable development for the polymer materials industry.


General Purpose Fumed Extrusion Silicone Rubber