Kraiburg aims to take TPEs into new applications

Friedrichshafen, Germany –  Kraiburg TPE is bringing "the best of both worlds" together in a technology that can produce high-performance thermoplastic elastomer hybrids (TEH), the company claims.

The German  compounder is currently at the testing phase of the technology, which can combine the processability of plastics with application properties of elastomers to create more chemical- and heat-resistant hybrid materials.

The performance profile of TEH materials include hardness from 55-80 Shore A, permanent operating temperatures of up to 150°C and chemical stability against materials such as oils, lubricants, fuels and coolants.

"With this technology, we aim to enter into new markets such as automotive and industrial machinery," Kraiburg TPE CEO Franz Hinterecker said.

TEH products are said to be particularly suitable for use in internal combustion engines, heat-management of drives and batteries for electric vehicles, as well as in lubrication and cooling systems for machines, process technology and buildings.

The difference between TEH materials and conventional TPEs is the polymer basis, according to Hinterecker.

"We can use almost any kind of rubber to produce these products. So, we have created a kind of platform where we can compound different kinds of TPEs based on rubber technology," he said.

Conventional TPEs use mainly EPDM/polypropylene blends as a base, which, said the Kraiburg TPE boss, limits the performance of the product.

According to Hinterecker, the company is collaborating with customers to find new applications for the material, and leverage its cost-efficiency and processability properties.

With demand for TPEs on the rise, Hinterecker pointed to a number of expansion plans currently underway at various global locations.

In Malaysia, the company is adding a fifth extrusion line by the end of this year to add 5,000 tonnes of capacity.

In Waldkraiburg, Germany, an expansion project is already underway: adding an extrusion line, which should be ready by the first quarter of next year.

The new 10-kilotonne-per-annum (ktpa) line will raise the company's European compounding capacity to 40 ktpa.

Also on display this year at Fakuma are Kraiburg TPE's new series of Thermolast K multi-purpose TPEs, developed specifically for the automotive interior market.

The new compounds are designed to feature reduced levels of fogging, volatile organic compounds and odour.

"Odour has become a big topic in the automotive industry. We have had different experiences with respect to odour, noted Hinterecker.

In China, customers want absolutely no odour in a new car, whereas in Europe, buyers expect the smell of a new car," the CEO commented.

Other features of the new multi-purpose TPEs include reliable adhesion to polypropylene, good abrasion resistance and the ability to process at relatively low pressures.