The importance of elastomers discussed with the Royal Society of Chemistry

A leading member of the Board of the British Rubber and Polyurethane Products Association (BRPPA) has highlighted the growing influence of elastomers to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

Dr Alexander Celik, Group Managing Director at Rosehill Polymers Group, talked about the influence the development of elastomers has on sectors such as the aerospace and automotive industries after an invitation to speak at the RSC. This included an insight into what he described as ‘disruptive innovations’ in elastomerics.

The presentation, entitled ‘Rubber Products – Applications and Markets’, highlighted the economic significance of elastomerics, which are estimated to generate an annual turnover in the US of nearly $50 billion, and £4 billion in the UK market.

“It was an honour to share some of BRPPA’s expertise with the Royal Society of Chemistry and I thank them for their invitation," commented Dr Celik. 

"Elastomerics are an essential component for a huge breadth of industries and sectors, which owes much to the pioneering work of chemists past and present.”

John Dorken, Director of BRPPA, commented: “The British rubber and polyurethane industry is vibrant and innovative, and BRPPA is committed to promoting it to an ever-broadening audience.”

The wide range of industries in which polymers are used accentuates the importance of BRPPA’s work. Dr Celik noted how polymers can be used in coloured rubber granules for sports tracks and safe play surfaces in the sports industry, as well as the speed cushions and traffic islands that are seen daily on highways. The automotive industry accounts for 76 percent of the rubber market supply and even if tyres are excluded from that, it remains the largest industry at 31 percent.

BRPPA is marking its 10th anniversary in 2016 and is says it is committed to a broad range of activities to promote Britain’s rubber and polyurethane industry.