KRAIBURG TPE launched its new line of thermoplastics with recycled material on the market. These solutions, detailed the thermoplastic elastomer manufacturer, expand the group of THERMOLAST® R compounds.

The new range of products also makes it possible to achieve a high recycling rate, which, unlike established products, also reaches up to 70% in materials with low Shore A hardness.

“This is an important milestone in the development of innovative compounds with adhesion properties. Through this launch, KRAIBURG TPE responds to the needs of the market and its increased demand for eco-friendly materials with post-industrial recycled (PIR) or post-consumer (PCR) content. TPEs with recycled material align with customers’ sustainability vision and help them achieve their own goals in that area,” the company explained in a statement.

In a brief message to the media, the company detailed that the new high-performance compounds are especially adapted to the demands of different sectors and market segments and allow adhesion to PA, PC/ABS or PP.

This combination of properties for single-component, two-component or multi-component options with recycling rates of up to 79% is something completely new to the KRAIBURG TPE offering.

Some of the highlights of the new thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are:

• TPE with recycled material with PA adhesion is the first TPE in the world with a PCR and PIR content between 50 and 60% depending on hardness. It can be used in a large number of applications for two-component parts with PA adhesion. Different hardnesses are available, ranging from 40 to 90 Shore A.
• TPE with recycled material with PC/ABS adhesion has a post-industrial and post-consumer recycled content between 42 and 54%, depending on the desired hardness. It is suitable for a wide range of multi-component parts, which require adhesion to ABS/PC or other technical thermoplastics. They are available in different hardnesses, ranging from 40 to 70 Shore A.
• Universal TPE with second generation PCR is available with up to 79% recycled content. These materials offer multiple possibilities of use for applications where adhesion to PP is required. Available in a wide range of hardness (from 30 to 90 Shore A) and a high percentage of sustainable material, these materials represent the evolution of the Universal PCR compounds launched in 2022.

In addition, the compounds offer reliable quality, immediate availability and the possibility of coloring them, all new thermoplastic elastomers are available in natural shades and can be colored in multiple ways according to the customer’s desire and need.

“Through TPE with recycled material, we contribute to achieving demanding sustainability objectives with products of high technical quality. Sustainability is a key competence for KRAIBURG TPE. With these new compounds, we close the recycling loop and assume our responsibility towards the environment and future generations,” said Eugen Andert, head of advanced development projects at KRAIBURG TPE.