Neodymium Polydienes: New Basic Raw Materials for Tyre Production

     Butadiene rubbers based on neodymium catalysts (SKD, SKI, and SKDI) are regarded as the most appealing raw materials for the tyre industry.
     Stereospecific cis-1,4-polydienes are produced on the basis of two monomers – butadiene and isoprene. Due to the linear structure of the macromolecules, these polymers are resistant to bending strains and crack formation, which is essential in tyre production. Neodymium catalyst-based rubber manufacture is experiencing a swift growth in North America and Western Europe. Within the CIS, the production of neodymium polydienes was first initiated at Nizhnekamskneftekhim JSC (Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan Republic). At present, the company boasts a production capacity of 100,000 tpy.
     Our article offers an in-depth review of the current state and prospects of neodymium catalyst-based polydiene production in the CIS.

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