The innovation enables the recycling of crosslinked HCR waste and the reintroduction of the recycled material into new formulations.
Elkem, a world-leading provider of advanced silicon-based materials, announces another silicone circularity breakthrough: the successful validation of a proof of concept for an innovative mechanical recycling process for High Consistency Rubbers (HCR).
The innovation enables the recycling of crosslinked HCR waste and the reintroduction of the recycled material into new formulations.
With re-incorporation rates exceeding 50% and excellent mechanical properties of the resulting material, Elkem demonstrates how advanced material engineering can unlock scalable circular approaches for high-performance silicone elastomers that help reduce waste and carbon footprint, while meeting growing market demand for circular elastomer solutions.
"This breakthrough demonstrates the power of purpose-driven innovation aligned with market expectations," said Joséphine Munsch, R&T sustainability leader at Elkem. "After two years of development, we are proud to present a first proof of concept for mechanical recycling of HCR, opening the door to new industrial applications and reinforcing our ambition to leverage pragmatic, science-driven solutions to lead and accelerate the transition to a circular economy for silicones."
The innovation comes as an expansion to Elkem's silicone recycling strategy, now covering both chemical and mechanical recycling routes. The integration of several recycling approaches allows Elkem to tailor solutions based on waste type, carbon footprint goals, and desired product performance — supporting our ambition to build a smart and efficient circular economy for silicones.
The development is a key outcome of the "RENOV" open innovation project, which focuses on developing technologies for the characterization and recycling of crosslinked elastomer waste. The project's goal is to enable the optimal reintegration of recycled material into formulations that contain virgin elastomers for identical applications.
High Consistency Rubbers, also known as Heat Cured Rubbers (HCR) or High Temperature Vulcanizing (HTV) silicone rubbers, are known for their exceptional mechanical strength, long-term stability, and excellent electrical insulation properties. They are chemically inert, non-flammable, and can withstand a wide temperature range, from -120°C to over +300°C depending on the grade. These unique characteristics make HCR an essential material in a diverse array of critical applications, including components for electric and hybrid vehicles, aerospace and defense equipment.
