ARLANXEO and Covestro cut chloroprene rubber emissions by using ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine, supporting sustainable manufacturing and climate goals.
ARLANXEO and Covestro have expanded their partnership to promote more sustainable practices in the synthetic rubber industry by incorporating ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine into the production of chloroprene rubber (CR). This initiative marks a significant advancement in reducing the environmental impact of synthetic rubber manufacturing while supporting the sustainability goals of industries that rely heavily on high-performance elastomer materials.
The collaboration centers on ARLANXEO’s adoption of ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine supplied by Covestro for the production of its Baypren® chloroprene rubber portfolio. ISCC PLUS certification is recognized globally for ensuring traceability and sustainability throughout supply chains, helping companies verify the responsible sourcing and production of raw materials. By integrating this certified chlorine into its manufacturing processes, ARLANXEO has substantially lowered the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) associated with its chloroprene rubber products.
A key factor behind the environmental benefits of the certified chlorine is Covestro’s use of renewable electricity during production. Unlike conventional chlorine manufacturing, which can be energy-intensive and carbon-heavy, the use of renewable power significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions generated during the production process. This contributes directly to lowering the carbon footprint of downstream products that incorporate the certified material.
Beginning in January 2026, ARLANXEO transitioned its entire global chloroprene rubber production to ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine. This milestone represents a major achievement in the company’s broader sustainability strategy and demonstrates its commitment to building a more environmentally responsible value chain. The shift has already delivered measurable results, with ARLANXEO reporting an average reduction in global warming potential (GWP) of approximately 20% compared with 2025 levels, although the exact reduction varies depending on the product grade.
According to ARLANXEO’s sustainability leadership, the adoption of ISCC PLUS-certified materials plays a crucial role in lowering the environmental footprint of chloroprene rubber products while improving transparency throughout the supply chain. The company is also providing product environmental footprint data across its entire CR portfolio, allowing customers to better understand and manage the sustainability performance of the materials they purchase.
Covestro’s contribution as a key supplier has been instrumental in enabling this transition. By making ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine available from several certified production facilities, the company is helping customers reduce emissions across multiple stages of the value chain. The partnership demonstrates how certified raw materials and renewable energy can work together to create more sustainable industrial products while helping manufacturers achieve ambitious climate and decarbonization objectives.
The sustainability improvements are particularly important for sectors such as automotive, construction, industrial manufacturing, and adhesives, where chloroprene rubber is widely used due to its durability, flexibility, chemical resistance, and performance characteristics. As regulatory requirements and customer expectations increasingly focus on environmental performance, the availability of lower-carbon elastomer solutions offers manufacturers a practical pathway toward reducing emissions without sacrificing product quality.
Beyond the use of certified chlorine, ARLANXEO is further expanding its sustainability offerings through Baypren® Eco grades. These products combine ISCC PLUS-certified chlorine with ISCC PLUS-certified butadiene, enabling even greater reductions in environmental impact. This approach allows customers to improve the sustainability profile of their products while maintaining the same technical performance standards required for demanding industrial applications.
The collaboration between ARLANXEO and Covestro highlights how partnerships across the chemical value chain can drive meaningful environmental improvements. By leveraging certified raw materials, renewable energy, and transparent sustainability data, both companies are contributing to the development of a more circular and climate-conscious synthetic rubber industry.
Market Impact: This development is expected to positively impact chloroprene rubber, synthetic elastomers, adhesives, automotive components, industrial seals, construction materials, and specialty rubber products. Increased adoption of ISCC PLUS-certified raw materials may boost demand for sustainable rubber grades, encourage wider use of renewable-energy-based chemical feedstocks, and strengthen supply chains focused on low-carbon manufacturing. Automotive and construction sectors, particularly in Europe and other regions with stringent sustainability targets, could increasingly favor environmentally certified rubber products, supporting premium sustainable material markets while helping manufacturers reduce Scope 3 emissions and meet regulatory requirements.
