Sustainable TPEs for household goods and vet medical equipment applications

Sustainable TPEs for a growing household goods market

For the Asia Pacific market, Kraiburg TPE, a global TPE manufacturer of a wide range of thermoplastic elastomer products and custom solutions for a variety of industries, offers its Thermolast R sustainable TPE series in keeping with the current trend of moving toward sustainability.

Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast R RC/FC/PCR/AP series of sustainable TPEs can meet manufacturers' needs for materials that are a sustainable alternative to conventional materials in order to reduce their environmental footprint.

Sustainable TPEs for the Asia-Pacific market 

The Thermolast R RC/FC/PCR/AP series, is designed for the Asia Pacific consumer market. The post-consumer recycled content ranges from 9% to 35% in the series (hardness-dependent). 

Additionally, the series complies with food contact regulatory standards, (FDA) CFR21 conform as well as REACH SVHC and RoHS compliances, making it an excellent alternative material for EPDM and PVC-P.

Versatile TPEs with design advantage

Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast R RC/FC/PCR/AP series provides a non-sticky, haptic, and low-odor surface, making it ideal for application in handle, grip and surface of the household goods, toilet cleaning brush, detergent bottle, massage brush, spray pump, dispenser cup and more. 

Through the use of multi-component injection moulding, the series has good adhesion with PP, enabling flexibility in product designs. The series also has excellent mechanical properties and temperature stability up to 80 °C. The Thermolast R RC/FC/PCR/AP series offers countless colour options as well. These TPEs, which come in translucent and natural variations, allow in-house pre-colouring, enabling product designers to use more colours to create stylish household items.

Sustainable TPEs make hot substitutes for iron applications

Today's market offers a wide range of low carbon-emission electric irons, from standing irons and compact irons to conventional irons and steamer irons that have smart features, energy-efficient systems, and advanced controls. These types of irons are now made of environmentally friendly plastics and other cutting-edge materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), which are lightweight, recyclable, and long-lasting.

Kraiburg TPE has recently launched the Thermolast R RC/PCR/AP series of compounds, which is a material solution with post-consumer recycled content targeted at sustainable grips, handles, connectors and other appliances.

Sustainability and safety major advantages

The post-consumer recycled content in Thermolast R RC/PCR/AP compound series ranges from 9% to 35% (hardness-dependent).

Thus, the TPE materials are suitable for applications such as functional and design elements, handles, grips, connectors, and more. They can be used as an alternative to EPDM and PVC-P as well as elastomers, offering a cost-effective solution to ease the burden on the environment.

Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast R RC/PCR/AP series of compounds meets the RoHS compliances. The compound series boasts good mechanical properties and temperature stability up to 80 °C, allowing for use in a range of appliances.

Stylish, comfortable designs

Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast R RC/PCR/AP series of compounds also has good bonding with PP resin, allowing for flexibility in product design.

Furthermore, through multi-component injection moulding, it can be overmoulded to allow for comfortable and non-slip handles, grips, and buttons.

As well, when consumers use the iron products, the TPE series' non-sticky surface property provides a comfortable and non-slip grip, which makes it suitable for applications in iron products.

TPE solutions in veterinary medical equipment

Pet lovers all over the world have created a thriving market for pet care products and services. Animals are no longer treated as commodities, thanks to increased awareness of animal welfare. 

For successful pet health outcomes, veterinary care relies on quality medical devices such as cleaning brushes, catheters, GV dental kits (dental extraction), wireless ultrasound devices, collars for cats and dogs, and more, in which advanced materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) offers an added value such as grips, antiskid features, haptics, flexibility and in-mould bonding to various hard plastics.

Kraiburg TPEprovides the Thermolast H series of solutions for healthcare and medical device applications. The series of compounds feature good compression set, resealing properties, soft touch, low friction as well as cost-effective.

Safe, pet health-friendly material

Thermolast H TPE compounds are high-quality material solutions that meet a variety of international standards, including Cytotoxicity ISO 10993-5, GB/T 16886.5, RoHS, and REACH. The compounds are free from PVC and latex, ensuring safety of use of the medical equipment. The TPE compounds can also be sterilised using an autoclave at 121°C and EtO.

TheThermolast H HC/AP series of compounds has good compatibility with PP and PE through injection moulding and extrusion. It can be used to produce flexible connectors, sealing, closures, and other medical device components.

The Thermolast H HC/AD1/AP series has good adhesion with PC, ABS, PC/ABS, ASA, SAN, PET, PETG, and PS via injection moulding. This polar adhesion series is suitable for a variety of applications including soft touch grips, switches, and mats for medical devices, membranes, seals, and more.

Additionally, both Thermolast H series of compounds are available in translucent and natural colours. Precolouring can also be done in-house, depending on the needs of the project, to suit customer specifications.  

Sustainability successes of our TPE

Kraiburg TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a specially developed material solution for automotive, consumer, and industry applications comprising post-consumer recycled (PCR) and post-industrial recycled (PIR) content. 

(PRA)

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