THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS | MATERIALS
Sustainability marks the way for TPE suppliers
Market expectations in thermoplastic elastomers are leading to formulations with recycled and bio-based content, as recent product launches demonstrate. By Chris Saunders
Since being employed extensively in personal protective equipment during the Covid-19 pan- demic, the market for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) has been bouyant. Market research pub- lished by MMR says the TPE sector was valued at $23.19bn in 2021, and despite supply issues and volatility in the prices of raw materials, it is project- ed to grow substantially in the coming years. This growth is driven by continued use in the medical field, plus increased demand in other areas such as automotive and the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning sector. Manufac- turers of consumer goods and household items are also harnessing the potential of TPEs and make use of their impressive range of properties. Materials developers are simultaneously being
urged to use more post-consumer recyclate (PCR), renewable feedstocks, and bio-based alternatives to create products with lower carbon footprints which satisfy market demand and reinforce their own commitments to sustainability. Teknor Apex has been continuing to develop
its portfolio of Medalist TPEs which are marketed as medical-grade alternatives to liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and intended for use in items such as face masks, syringe plunger stoppers, seals, tubing, and other medical devices that require high levels of flexibility. These TPEs are an attractive proposi- tion to manufacturers because they are claimed to be five times more cost-effective than LSR, which requires longer cycle times and can have higher production costs. Furthermore, unlike LSR, Medalist TPEs are completely recyclable. To further facilitate the transition to sustainabil-
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ity, in January this year, the company announced Monprene S3 CP-15170 BLK, an eco-conscious TPE made with 35% sustainable content that includes material from UBQ that is a recyclable plastic substitute converted entirely from organic and unrecyclable waste. This new Monprene TPE, initially available in 70
Shore A and coloured black, performs and pro- cesses comparably to its standard TPE offset and the hardness and amount of sustainable content can be customised based on end use require- ments. The grade has been designed specifically for injection moulding or overmoulding onto PP, making it ideal for consumer product applications requiring flexibility such as hand and power tools, consumer electronics, and appliances that feature soft-touch components for anti-slip, comfort grip, and improved ergonomics.
Main image: The growing demand for circularity is creating application opportunities for TPEs with smaller carbon footprints
� May 2023 | INJECTION WORLD 25
IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
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