With the increase of the demand for high performance materials, the thermoplastic elastomer industry is stepping into the era of innovation. Polymer suppliers and dealers believe that aviation and transport are two major industries in the use of thermoplastic materials.
Biesterfeld Petroplas Engineering Polymers company product manager Richard Kirkby to the material of the popular due to its flexibility, “with the industry to pursue lighter renewable materials, has helped us car sales hit a record high of Santoprene.”
Kirkby added that TPE has been developing, including its processing technology. He said, Mobil Exxon has launched a series of glass packaging Santoprene level, not by two processing to add the seal, he said, customers can use Santoprene to replace TPE for blow molding speedtransmission joint sleeve, can lose weight by 30%, and the total cost of 40% parts. “The next generation of products will focus on the integrated technology of soft and hard applications,” he added.
Kirbky believes that the supply of TPE will be tight in the foreseeable future, because the capacity does not follow the booming market demand. He added, “however, as a long-term Pan European distributor, we have an advantageous position to supply customers from warehouses across the European continent and the UK.”
Stefan Gertzen, the TPE product manager at Schulman’s Europe, Middle East and Africa, agreed with Kirkby. ” Design and multi component functional parts have been standing firmly in the application of interior decoration, and there is also a good growth potential in the application of ordinary rubber in the seals and under the hood.
“We have been working with partners to develop new levels of TPE to enhance its chemical and thermal resistance, including the new TPE level that can be adhered to various engineering plastics materials.”

Schulman is working with API, a European company in Italy, to provide complementary materials for its Invision brand. Last year, Schulman bought Ferro’s special plastic business to further expand the scope of its TPE.