Vietnam's manufacturing sector is steadily adopting sustainable practices by adhering to environmental regulations and standards, limiting the environmental impact of manufacturing activities, and supporting green production initiatives and technologies.
As a result, the demand for raw materials and manufacturing equipment that support manufacturers' sustainability goals is increasing, providing favorable traction for sustainable, advanced materials such as thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) for high-value industry and consumer applications.
KRAIBURG TPE, a leading global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers, will showcase its specialized TPE solutions for various product applications across a wide range of sectors at the Plastics & Rubber Vietnam expo, which will take place at I.C.E. in Hanoi, Vietnam, from July 25-27, 2023.
KRAIBURG TPE will focus on its sustainable TPE range, such as the THERMOLAST® R, a multi-talented TPE compound with a PCR and PIR content ranging from 9 to 50% for consumer, consumer electronics, and industrial applications.
RC/FC/PCR/AP series: Sustainable TPEs for consumer applications
KRAIBURG TPE’s new THERMOLAST® R RC/FC/PCR/AP series is a sustainable material solution for everyday consumer applications such as grip surfaces, toothbrushes, razors, grommets, toys, cable clips, household goods, housing seals, and more.
The series of compounds feature excellent mechanical qualities and a post-consumer recycled (PCR) content that ranges from 9 to 38% (hardness-dependent). It offers excellent adhesion to PP; has a hardness range of 30-90 Shore A; and can be processed by injection molding, making it suitable for single component parts.
The RC/FC/PCR/AP series provides good haptics and a low odor. It complies with REACH SVHC and RoHS regulations, as well as (FDA) CFR21 for food-contact safe applications.
The compounds, which are available in natural and translucent colors, provide a range of colorability options for a variety of applications. Pre-coloring is also available in-house.
RC/AD1/AP series: Sustainable TPE for consumer electronic and wearable applications
KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® R RC/AD1/AP series provides a sustainable material option for consumer electronics applications, including grip and handles, function and design components, and wearable with its post-industrial recycled (PIR) content of 34-50% (hardness-dependent). It has a hardness range of 60-80 Shore A and excellent adhesion to ABS, PC, and PC/ABS.
The series complies with REACH SVHC and RoHS requirements and has been tested for UL 94HB, ISO10993-5 (Cytotoxicity), and ISO10993-23 (Skin Irritation).
The compounds are available in black and natural colors. Pre-coloring is also available in-house.
RC/PCR/AP series: Sustainable TPEs for industry applications
KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® R RC/PCR/AP series, having a PCR ranging from 25 to 48% (depending on hardness), satisfies the requirement for sustainability in industry applications such as grips, function and design elements, connectors, cable clips, grommets, handles, electric and electronic components, and more.
The series offers a hardness range of 50-90 Shore A and outstanding mechanical properties and flowability. It provides a soft touch surface and better adhesion to PP, making it a good choice even for single component parts.
The series, which is available in black, complies with ROHS regulations, ensuring quality and dependability in any suitable application.
Sustainability successes of TPEs
KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a series of material solutions specially developed for automotive, consumer, consumer electronics, wearables and industry applications. Comprising up to 48% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 50% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content, the material complies with multiple global standards such as FDA raw material compliance, RoHS and REACH SVHC requirements. KRAIBURG TPE also provides customers with product carbon footprint values.
