Sustainable TPEs in durable utility and consumer products

Kraiburg TPE, a global manufacturer of custom thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), provides material solutions that address the growing demand for heavy-duty performance and sustainability across diverse applications. Its specialised TPE products—such as the Thermolast R RC/AD/PA/AP and Thermolast R RC/UV/AP series—are well-suited for toolbox and e-bike handles, while its Light Effect TPE is designed for smart locks. All these applications require durability, a secure grip, and a soft touch to deliver high-performance functionality.

Smart TPE solutions for tough, sustainable toolbox handles

Looking for Sustainable TPE with over 50% recycled content and strong adhesion to PA6/PA6.6? Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast R - RC/AD/PA/AP series delivers toughness and comfort in one for your toolbox handles and power tools.

In emergencies, every second—and every tool—counts. During a natural disaster, household mishap, or power outage, a robust toolbox is indispensable. It keeps essential tools accessible, organised, and protected—always ready for action. With growing awareness of disaster risks and supply disruptions, more people are adopting a prepper mindset, that is, planning ahead to stay self-sufficient in uncertain times. For preppers, a durable toolbox with TPEs is ideal for staying functional under pressure and ready when needed.

The Thermolast R - RC/AD/PA/AP series for the Asia-Pacific market, this advanced TPE solution features high recycled content and optimised mechanical properties, enabling manufacturers to develop high-performance products while meeting strict quality standards and low carbon footprint targets.

High performance with reduced environmental impact - The Thermolast R - RC/AD/PA/AP series contains over 50% recycled raw materials (hardness-dependent), combining post-industrial recycled (PIR) and post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, advancing manufacturers’ sustainability goals. Complementing its environmental benefits, the TPE compounds offer a hardness range of 40–90 Shore A, providing an optimal balance of flexibility and durability. 

The material bonds strongly with polyamide (PA), particularly PA6 and PA6.6, enhancing the tensile strength of toolbox handles for reliable, heavy-duty use by improving resistance to breakage, wear, and abrasion, ensuring consistent performance even under tough conditions. This TPE series is also ideal for gardening and power tool handles, over-moulded housing for laser demarcation devices, as well as functional and design elements.

Safe handling with non-slip surface – The series provides a non-sticky surface and enhanced grip. It reduces friction between the hand and handle, offering improved comfort and minimising the risk of slippage even during extended use or when hands are sweaty, thus, promoting safer handling of tools and equipment. While the series contains recycled content, it still guarantees a clean, smooth, and durable finish for toolbox handle construction. The TPE compounds are also available in a wide range of colours, including customisable black options to match product aesthetics or brand identity.

Sustainable TPEs for trendy and functional e-bike handles

Why choose sustainable TPE for e-bike handles? The Thermolast R RC/UV/AP series offers lightweight design, enhanced grip, and up to 40% recycled content—delivering durability, comfort, and resistance to UV and chemicals for modern micromobility.

Lighter, energy-efficient, and innovative designs— these are the latest trends in electric bikes (e-bikes), expected to drive record growth in the micromobility market amid growing demand for sustainable and affordable transportation solutions. Technological advancements are making way for lighter e-bikes with more novel features, suited for both urban streets and off-road terrain.

TPEs are helping to reduce the weight of e-bike models—some weighing as little as half of the typical 60-pound designs. These materials also provide the mechanical strength and chemical resistance needed to enhance e-bike components for better performance and overall user satisfaction.

As e-bike categories diversify, handlebar designs have been modified to improve rider control and safety. TheThermolast R RC/UV/AP series provides durability, comfortable grip, and eco-friendly advantages in handle applications.

Soft touch, reliable grip, lightweight build for better control– The seriesoffers a soft-touch, non-sticky surface that keeps e-bike handles comfortable even with sweaty hands. These properties also enhance control and maneuverability while encouraging proper hand and wrist positioning for improved ergonomics.

Its broad hardness range, from 50 to 90 Shore A, allows for a customisable grip feel, from soft and cushioned to firm and responsive, without compromising safety or function. Its lightweight, low-density formulation helps reduce overall e-bike weight, while a black finish ensures a consistent, modern appearance.

Sustainable TPEs for high-performance applications - The series is fully recyclable and formulated with 15% to 40% recycled content to meet eco-friendly material requirements, particularly in the micromobility sector. Designed for e-bike applications, it offers UV, chemical, and weather resistance, along with reliable adhesion to polypropylene (PP) for efficient multi-component injection moulding; and low-density substrates. Its temperature stability up to 90°C ensures performance even after prolonged outdoor use. The series’ durability was validated through a two-year Florida exposure test, demonstrating its resilience in harsh outdoor environments.

Unlocking advanced functionality for smart locks with light effect TPE

How can smart locks, automotive interiors, and consumer electronics combine performance with style? With Kraiburg TPE’s Light Effect TPE—durable, flexible, soft-touch, and light-transmissible for intuitive illuminated features.

Smart lock systems are electronic alternatives to mechanical locks, operating without physical keys. They use technologies like PIN codes, fingerprint recognition, RFID cards, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, and voice control to provide secure, convenient, and remote access in homes, offices, apartments, and vehicles. To make operation more intuitive, manufacturers use TPEs, which simplify functions, improve control surfaces, and enhance visibility in low light, while keeping the locks reliable and easy to use.

The Light Effect TPE, a light-transmissible material that creates an ambient glow. It combines aesthetics with performance and is suited for smart home devices, automotive interiors, and other electronic applications.

Illuminating features for function and style – This TPE is tailored for components that emit light, providing subtle backlighting and illuminated indicators to enhance user engagement and device intuitiveness. It allows soft, diffused light to pass through, making it ideal for lighting keypads, buttons, or keyholes in low light, signaling lock status, marking touch-sensitive areas, and adding lighting accents. Available in black and coloured variants, it gives designers control over illumination levels for both functional and aesthetic purposes.

Reliable performance and versatile applications - The compounds have a density of 0.89 ± 0.03 g/cm³, a hardness of 60 ± 5 ShA, and offer a tensile strength of 10 MPa with 700% elongation, providing the flexibility and durability needed for demanding applications. The material is weather-resistant, UV-resistant, halogen-free (in accordance with IEC 61249-2-21), and maintains its performance and shape throughout its service life. It bonds well with polypropylene (PP), making it suitable for smart lock systems, interior car lighting, light panel covers, gaming accessories, display panels, household appliances, consumer electronics, and smart home devices. It can also be reused during production to promote a more sustainable manufacturing.

Soft touch for precision and control - The Light Effect TPE has a soft-touch surface that gives smart lock devices a high-end, tactile finish. When used on frequently handled components, it improves comfort and control, resulting in smoother operation and a more polished device interface.

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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