Kraiburg TPE brings TPE solutions for automotive sealing and multimaterial applications in APAC

How can material selection improve car grommet performance?

Vehicles are valuable assets when properly maintained. This is especially true for understated yet critical automotive components such as car grommets, which require protective barriers to extend service life. As automotive OEMs, product designers, and R&D engineers continue to develop more advanced vehicle systems, they are increasingly seeking materials that deliver reliable sealing, durability, and efficient manufacturing. Found in firewall areas, door panels, trunk or tailgate wiring, dashboards, and body panel routing openings, car grommets protect cables and wires, seal against environmental ingress, reduce vibration and noise, and aid cable management.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are suitable for car grommets applications, combining flexibility, sealing performance, processing efficiency, and design versatility for automotive requirements.

Kraiburg TPE, a global manufacturer of high-performance TPE compounds and customised material solutions for various industries, offers specialised TPEs such as the FG/SF/AP series for the Asia Pacific (APAC) market, which is developed for automotive applications with stringent high-performance requirements.

Importance of processing efficiency and PP adhesion for car grommets - Kraiburg TPE’s FG/SF/AP series features optimised flow properties and good demolding behaviour for efficient processing of complex car grommet designs. The series likewise exhibits strong adhesion to polypropylene (PP), a low-energy surface and non-polar material, which ensures seamless integration of parts even under stress.

Surface quality and durability - Modern car grommets require materials that combine premium surface quality with long-lasting durability. The FG/SF/AP series delivers soft-touch capability and superior surface mapping for a consistent, refined finish. Its low-density quality ensures lightweight yet durable protection for vehicle interiors, while thermal stability up to 100°C maintains long-lasting performance.

Recyclability and colourability advantages - For automotive manufacturers, sustainability is just as important as product performance. The FG/SF/AP series enables in-process recycling, improving material efficiency and sustainable automotive interior manufacturing. Available in black, the compounds also offer versatile colouring options for branding, functionality, and visual elements. The series offers controlled emission and odour, thus maintaining a clean and odor-free automotive interior environment.

New Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP series, a multimaterial solution for APAC market

Multimaterial components push the limits of material performance in automotive and industrial applications. Among the biggest challenges is achieving strong adhesion between soft TPEs and engineering plastics such as polyamide (PA, or nylon). Manufacturers must also reduce secondary assembly operations, improve manufacturing efficiency, and meet strict requirements for durability, low emissions, and product aesthetics.

Kraiburg TPE’s , new Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP Series for the APAC market is designed for automotive interior and industrial applications, the series provides reliable adhesion to PA substrates, balanced mechanical properties, efficient processing, and long-term durability for high-quality multi-material components with greater design flexibility and production efficiency.

"This series delivers an excellent balance of nylon adhesion, processability, low-emission performance, and heat-aging stability, offering a resource-engineered solution for a wide range of automotive interior and overmolding applications," said Chang Chun Kit, Product Developer – Automotive Division, Kraiburg TPE.

Application-focused solutions - The Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP Series enables efficient multi-material manufacturing by providing reliable adhesion to PA substrates during injection molding. Eliminating the need for additional bonding processes streamlines production while maintaining consistent part quality in high-volume manufacturing. Available exclusively in black, the series meets the aesthetic and performance requirements of automotive interior and industrial applications across the APAC region. Applications include automotive interior components, bumpers, functional and decorative parts or handles for hand and power tools, seals, and thumb wheels.

Durability and flexibility for demanding application - The Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP Series offers excellent resistance to UV, ozone, and weathering to preserve component appearance over time. It also maintains long-term thermal stability under continuous service temperatures of up to 90°C for reliable performance in demanding environments. Available in hardness grades ranging from 40 to 80 Shore A, the series enables designers to fine-tune material performance for specific application requirements.

Processing optimised for productivity - The Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP Series also simplifies manufacturing. Its broad processing window support stable moulding and consistent production, while its insert moulding capability helps reduce process complexity. Together, these features enable manufacturers improve productivity, shorten development time, and maintain consistent product quality.

Material compliance for global markets - The Thermolast K – AD/PA/AP Series complies with internationally recognised hazardous substance and chemical safety regulations, including RoHS and REACH, giving OEMs and Tier suppliers greater confidence when specifying materials for products destined for global markets.

Sustainability from the get-go

At Kraiburg TPE, sustainability drives our innovation. Our portfolio includes bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs are certified under GRS and ISCC PLUS. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data upon 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 reliable performance and are available worldwide to support your applications while advancing your sustainability goals. (Press Release)

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