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Monomers, Polymers, and Plastics
Published in James G. Speight, Handbook of Petrochemical Processes, 2019
Synthetic rubber can be made from the polymerization of a variety of monomers including isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), 1,3-butadiene, and isobutylene (methylpropene) with a small percentage of isoprene for cross-linking. These and other monomers can be mixed in various desirable proportions to be copolymerized for a wide range of physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. The monomers can be produced pure and the addition of impurities or additives can be controlled by design to give optimal properties. Polymerization of pure monomers can be better controlled to give a desired proportion of cis and trans double bonds.
Polymers in Our World
Published in Kathleen Hess-Kosa, Building Materials, 2017
Although man began experimenting with synthetic rubber in 1906, it was not until after World War II did he improve the quality to the point that it rivalled that of natural rubber. Wartime necessity became the impetus for the emergence of synthetic rubber on a large-scale basis when governments began building plants to offset natural rubber shortages. Synthetic rubber plants were built around the world post World War II, primarily in Europe, North America, and Japan. In 1960 the use of synthetic rubber surpassed that of natural rubber for the first time. Synthetic rubber has maintained the lead ever since. In construction, synthetic rubber is used in roofing, flooring, carpet backing, acoustic panels, and more.
Product development, fashion buying and merchandising
Published in Textile Progress, 2022
Rachel Parker-Strak, Rosy Boardman, Liz Barnes, Stephen Doyle, Rachel Studd
Brands are starting to implement elements of a circular product-lifecycle into their business models (Holtström et al., 2019). For instance, Adidas has incorporated recycling effectively into its business model in its ‘Parley for the Oceans’ range, whereby the trainers are created from plastic waste found in the ocean. This is significant because synthetic rubber is created from petrochemicals, emitting greenhouse-gases in the process, and then using more energy to mould the rubber (Kirchain et al., 2015). H&M have been using recycled materials in their product ranges for several years, such as recycled polyester, polyamide, plastic, and wool and ‘circulose’, made from recycled cotton and fashion waste (Engle, 2020; Shen, 2014).