EPDM: Emissions
Olefins bring most of the footprint
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies. Emission intensity 3.00 t CO2e per t range 2.5-4.2 · derived: 0.6 t ethylene x 1.6 + 0.33 t propylene x 1.5 + 0.07 t ENB x about 3 = about 1.7 t, plus about 1.2 t solvent recovery and finishing and 0.1 t transport; OEKOBAUDAT gives 4.17 kg CO2e/kg for Germany (data year 2018) Global emissions per year 5.70 Mt CO2e per year 2025 · about 1.9 Mt x 3.0 t CO2e/t (derived, indicative)Per t of EPDM, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: ethylene and propylene tiles (indicative); OEKOBAUDAT 2023-I via Climatiq (upper range). Global total: derived.
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Feedstock 57% Production / process 40% Movement 3%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | about 1.7 t CO2e/t | 57% | ethane or naphtha cracking; ENB synthesis | ethane-based olefins lower this | derived from olefin tiles (indicative) |
| Production / process | about 1.2 t CO2e/t | 40% | refrigeration, solvent stripping steam, drying | gas-phase and slurry processes use less energy (indicative) | indicative |
| Movement | about 0.1 t CO2e/t | 3% | container shipping | small | indicative |
| Use | not applicable | – | durable, inert | long life in roofs (30-50 years) and cars | n/a |
| End of life | about 3.1 t CO2 per t of rubber if burned (calculated from about 86% carbon in the polymer; compounds contain carbon black and oil) | – | landfill, cement kiln, crumb rubber | cured EPDM cannot be remelted; TPV is recyclable | calculated (indicative) |
Other environmental impacts
Hexane VOC emissions at plants; rubber granulate from EPDM sports surfaces is a microplastic concern in the EU (indicative).
Levers to cut emissions
- Metallocene and gas-phase processes that cut solvent and steam use (indicative).
- Ethane-based or bio-based ethylene (sugarcane ethanol) for EPDM; Arlanxeo has sold Keltan Eco grades using bio-ethylene from Brazil (indicative).
- Shift from cured EPDM to recyclable TPV in seals.
- Devulcanisation and reuse of EPDM production scrap.
India
India's EPDM footprint is entirely embedded in imports. A domestic plant, if built, could use Indian ethanol-based ethylene to differentiate, but no project was found in sources reached.
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bio-based EPDM from sugarcane ethylene | lower fossil carbon; not quantified in sources reached | not published | commercial in small volume (Arlanxeo Keltan Eco, indicative) | indicative |
| TPV replacing cured EPDM | similar at gate; recyclable at end of life | small (indicative) | commercial | indicative |