THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS | MATERIALS


Other benefits include: superior


weather resistance; enabling of recycling-specific raw material influences for enhanced sustainability; using injection moulding for efficient and cost-effective manufacturing; and availability in black for seamless integration with vehicle aesthetics. The RC/UV/AP series can be used in other automotive applications including water deflectors, roof rack seals, window encapsulations, cowls gaskets and automotive exterior components. In addition, the company has also opened a new United Kingdom-based subsidiary, which it says, “underscores its commitment to serving the important UK market directly”. The company said that the UK is a key market, with a number of clients based there. However, it saw the need to improve service. Collaborating with the long-term partner Abbey Polymers, it now has a sales office in Stafford and a warehouse in Stoke-on-Trent. It says that the new operation streamlines the purchasing process for UK custom- ers, as a local presence helps to cut lead times and shipping costs, it says.


Antimicrobial TPE TekniPlex Healthcare has introduced antimicrobial TPE compounds for use in medical applications. The compounds are formulated with silver ion technology. Here, silver ion additives – which have natural antimicrobial properties – are incorporated into its medical-grade compounds, such as Cellene TPE. Unlike disinfectants, which last a few hours, formulating a medical product with antimicrobial compounds provides protection for a product’s lifespan.


When a bacterium is on a surface, the release of silver ions inhibits its ability to reproduce. The silver ions enter the cell through its outer layer, block enzymes to prevent the cell from generating energy, and disrupt its DNA. The technology is effective against a wide range of bacteria from E. coli and Salmonella to antibiotic-resistant bacteria like Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Products made with silver-containing com- pounds can achieve 80% bacteria reduction in 15 minutes, and are over 99.9% effective after two hours, says the company. “Developing ways to reduce the risk for bacterial


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growth in clinical settings aligns with our commitment to improving patient outcomes through materials science solutions,” said Chris Qualters, CEO of TekniPlex Healthcare. “A clean clinical environment benefits patients and staff, and the ability to incorporate this technology in direct patient contact items like catheters and injection devices is highly valuable.”


China TPU site


Covestro has begun construction of a new thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) production site in Zhuhai, China. The site will be built in three phases and is


expected to achieve a maximum annual capacity of 120,000 tonnes. Completion of the first phase is estimated for 2025. This will lead to a production capacity of about 30,000 tonnes/year, says Covestro. The final phase is expected to be completed in 2033. Once completed, the site will span 45,000


square meters. Its potential maximum capacity of up to 120,000 tonnes/year would make it Coves- tro’s largest TPU site worldwide. “This shows our commitment to strengthen our


production network for our Solutions & Specialties business entities overall and for the TPU business in particular,” said Andrea Maier-Richter, head of TPU at Covestro.


TPU is used in a variety of applications such as sports shoes, smart speakers, phone cases and automotive applica- tions. Covestro says the new site will allow


it to provide sustainable, high-perfor- mance solutions to its customers. At the new site, Covestro will eventually offer products with a ‘CQ’ label – containing at least 25% alternative, non-fossil raw materials.


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.avient.com � www.hexpol.com � www.polykemi.com � www.almaak.com � www.teknorapex.com � www.cabopol.com � www.mocom.eu � www.kraiburg-tpe.com/en � www.tekni-plex.com � www.covestro.com


September/October 2024 | INJECTION WORLD 27


Below: Kraiburg says its Thermolast R RC/UV/AP TPE improves the design of automotive antennas


Right: TekniPlex Healthcare has introduced antimicrobial TPEs for medical applications


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