FRENCH chemical firm, Arkema, has introduced Luperox FreeO, which the company says is an alternative to the current technologies commonly used in the synthetic rubber crosslinking industry.
Luperox FreeO is a bis isopropyl benzene peroxide, for which Arkema has global scale production capacities in Europe and the US.
Sports shoes and some outdoor shoe types with soles made of synthetic rubber, namely expanded EVA1, are known for releasing a strong and persistent odor in footwear manufacturing plants as well as in retail outlets.
This smell is due to the crosslinking agents extensively used today in the footwear industry releasing VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds), in particular acetophenone , which has a very strong and persistent odour, even in finished goods several months after manufacture.
The Luperox FreeO organic peroxide releases no bad odour, according tp Arkema, adding that the product features outstanding crosslinking performance (typically 40% lower dosage than other crosslinking agents) and ease of use and releases only very small VOC amounts.