# EPDM: Emissions

Olefins bring most of the footprint

Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/emissions/

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 |

 For a climate investor EPDM is a durable material with modest production emissions; the opening for India is import substitution, possibly with bio-ethylene from sugarcane ethanol, and recycling of production scrap. What has to be true: secure ENB supply, enough auto and cable demand to fill a 50-100 kt/yr plant, and buyers that value lower-carbon rubber.

## Other sections

- [Summary](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/index.md)
- [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/overview/index.md)
- [Correlation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/correlation/index.md)
- [Production route](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/routes/index.md)
- [Production](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/production/index.md)
- [Feedstocks](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/feedstocks/index.md)
- [Cycles](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/cycles/index.md)
- [Trading](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/trading/index.md)
- [Movement](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/movement/index.md)
- [Regulation](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/regulation/index.md)
- [Characteristics](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/characteristics/index.md)
- [Relationships](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/epdm/links/index.md)