Dow expands Nordel EPDM line once again

MIDLAND, Mich.—Dow Chemical Co. is not new, and neither is EPDM.

But experience counts, and with more than 50 years of it in the EPDM business, Dow continues to innovate the company's Nordel EPDM product line, which is sold in both bale and pellet form.

Dow Specialty Packaging and Plastics recently unveiled a new suite of its Nordel-brand EPDM offerings that the company said is aimed at a variety of applications, including automotive.

As global technology leader for Nordel EPDM at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics, Lena Nguyen is an expert in the product line. She recently spoke about her company's approach to the new offerings in a video interview from home, as much of the world shelters in place due to COVID-19.

"This new product will help them improve their manufacturing efficiency, improving the productivity," she said. "They can optimize their cost and performance in the manufacturing process, allowing them to meet the most stringent OEM specifications out there."

Nguyen said advances in the company's EPDM line are especially helpful in the automotive field, where both performance and appearance are important, she said.

Dow's EPDM improvements also can help automotive parts makers save money and improve their environmental standing, Nguyen said.

"They can also reduce their carbon footprint or meet their sustainability goal if they have one because our product is manufactured using 24 percent less energy," Nguyen said.

The global technology leader at Dow could hold a master class on EPDM if necessary, explaining in detail the company's Nordel line. In simple terms, a key component to Dow's approach is the use of its advanced molecular catalyst technology in production.

AMC technology operates more efficiently at much higher temperatures, and eliminates the washing process that's needed with the Ziegler-Natta process, which occurs at lower temperatures. There is less residue, and manufacturing throughput is higher, she said.

In automotive applications, these improvements can create end products that meet stringent appearance requirements for Class A surfaces. Class A surfaces, like a window seal, are visible to consumers when looking at a vehicle, so looks are important.

AMC's other advantages include ultra-high molecular weight, low gel content, higher long-chain branching capability and scrap reduction, Dow said.

Dow has added eight new grades to its EPDM line over the past three years, including two last year, Nordel 4590 and Nordel 4750 OE. The company has said the new grades "help enable manufacturers to deliver durable, high-performance products for extruded profiles and TPV applications, including automotive weatherstripping, hoses, molded rubber goods, and building and construction materials."