“We are proud to collaborate with IFF to test and develop renewable bio-based additives as a complement to reinforcing carbons in rubber products for applications, including tires, belts, hoses, gaskets and automotive weatherstrips. This MOU aligns with our sustainability commitment and contributes to the transition to a lower carbon future.” said Fred Rumpf, Cabot’s senior R&D director, Reinforcement Materials segment.

During the past year, Cabot and IFF have been exploring the development of novel, highly sustainable rubber reinforcing additives based on the latter’s Nuvolve engineered polysaccharide.

Nuvolve is produced by the enzymatic polymerization of sustainable European sugar beets. The polysaccharide was originally developed by DuPont, which merged its nutrition and biosciences business into IFF on Feb. 1.  

Author: Elaine Burridge, Freelance Journalist