Recovering halogenated copolymers

Light coloured halogenated butyl rubber is recovered as an aqueous slurry which contains a minor proportion of an alkaline reagent, such as potassium sodium, calcium or ammonium hydroxide, sufficient to maintain the pH at between 6,5 and 7,5. The halogenated rubber in organic solvent may be flashed with hot water and steam in a continuous process, and the alkaline agent may be from 0,005 to 0,5% by weight based on the copolymer. The recovered rubber obtained without foaming or fouling the equipment may be compounded and vulcanised to light coloured products.