Food safe, high-performance TPE materials for lunch boxes, coffee makers

New TPE for applications involving contact with fatty foods

Increased consumer awareness of environmental and sustainability issues has led to steadily rising demand for reusable products in many areas. Typical examples include food containers such as lunch boxes, mixing bowls, and sealable bowls, where the seals in the lids are often made of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs).

However, the use of these end products requires reliable materials to ensure long-term physiological safety. The relevant regulations for plastic applications that come into direct contact with food—Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 and Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (21 CFR §177. 2600) of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) – define strict limits for the permissible migration of ingredients from the materials in this context.

Kraiburg TPE, a global manufacturer of TPEs, providing high-quality, custom-engineered solutions for various market applications, meets the requirements that both regulations place on compound compositions. The prerequisites for complying with the legal migration limits are the combination of the new formulation of the FC/CM3/AD1 series with a well-thought-out design of the end product.

“We have been working intensively on this topic in recent years and have invested heavily in the development of new TPS compounds for safe applications in food contact,” says Dirk Olberding, Market Manager Consumer at Kraiburg TPE. “Through comprehensive analyses and migration studies, we have succeeded in determining precise calculation bases for migration properties and transferring them to the formulation of commercial TPS types.”

Olberding also points out in this context that TPE compounds can exhibit very complex migration behaviour due to their variable combinability. "The ideal solution is therefore to tailor the TPE formulation of the individual series as precisely as possible to the expected contact media – usually high-fat foods such as meat, cooking oils, dressings, or sauces. To ensure this, we took two different approaches when formulating the materials, examining the individual raw materials and their interaction on the one hand, but also keeping an eye on the end product in terms of its migration potential on the other."

Thanks to their resistant surface and outstanding mechanical properties, the new materials from Kraiburg TPE significantly increase the service life of reusable containers and lids. Adhesion to various polar thermoplastics such as Tritan (PCT-G), PET, SAN, PC, ABS, PA6, and PA12 has been successfully tested across the board. Due to their very good resilience – proven by hysteresis tests – and excellent tear strength and tear resistance values, they are also ideal for cosmetics and food packaging. The new range can be processed thermoplastically with excellent results, allowing for a great deal of freedom in component design. The compounds are produced at the Kraiburg TPE site in Waldkraiburg and are now available worldwide.

In accordance with the aforementioned regulatory guidelines, the newly developed Thermolast K compounds of the FC/CM3/AD1 series offer significantly improved migration control compared to conventional TPS. Their minimised migration potential makes them particularly suitable for applications involving direct contact with fatty foods.

Trusted and food-safe TPE solutions for coffee makers

The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee is often the first thing that awakens the sense and sets the tone for a productive day. For many, that invigorating moment wouldn’t be possible without a reliable coffee machine. Behind every satisfying brew is a precise blend of design, durability, and material innovation.

Kraiburg TPEoffers a high-performance TPE material for coffee makers, specifically engineered for appliance seals and soft-touch buttons. This food-safe TPE combines heat resistance, mechanical strength, and processing versatility, making it the ideal solution for modern kitchen appliances.

Engineered for heat-resistance and daily use - Kraiburg TPE’s specifically developed compound delivers an optimised compression set at high temperatures, ensuring excellent sealing performance even after countless brewing cycles, its robust mechanical properties provide long-term durability, allowing it to withstand the wear and tear of frequent use. Whether used for TPE for appliances seals or soft-touch TPE for appliance buttons, the material ensures both tactile quality and functional reliability.

Smart processing and seamless integration- The TPE for kitchen appliances also demonstrates excellent adhesion to polypropylene (PP), enabling efficient multi-component injection molding processes. Manufacturers benefit from reduced reliance on adhesives and secondary processing steps, while achieving precise, clean integration of seals and buttons. The material is also colorable, supporting customised aesthetics to meet brand or market demands.

Food-safe, clean, and compatible - Formulated as a food-safe TPE, the material is free from animal-derived ingredients and supports compliance with food-contact safety standards. It is compatible with standard manufacturing techniques, ensuring smooth processing and consistent quality, key for producers of premium kitchen appliances such as coffee makers.

Versatility across consumer and industrial applications - Beyond coffee makers, this TPE material for appliance seals is highly versatile. It is also ideal for seals in housings, flexible connectors, membranes, valves, household articles, and closures. Additionally, the material performs well in food and care product packaging applications.

With its balance of thermal stability, mechanical durability, and aesthetic flexibility, KRAIBURG TPE empowers manufacturers to create high-quality, user-friendly products that meet both performance expectations and modern design trends.

Sustainability from the get-go

At Kraiburg TPE, sustainability is at the heart of our innovation. Our portfolio features bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs carry GRS and ISCC PLUS certifications. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data on request to support sustainability decisions.

We proudly earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our goals with global climate action.

From reducing emissions to increasing circularity, our sustainable TPEs deliver dependable performance and are available worldwide to help meet your applications while advancing your sustainability goals.
(Press Release)

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