20 Apr 2026
Material based on Thermolast K range combines more than 50% recyclate with “unchanged performance”
Waldkraiburg, Germany – Kraiburg TPE, in cooperation with automotive parts supplier SaarGummi, has developed a sustainable thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material for automotive sealing systems, with a recycling content of more than 50%.
The solution is based on Kraiburg TPE’s Thermolast K product series and incorporates post-industrial and post-consumer recyclates, said the German compounder 8 April.
The material, it added, meets “the high requirements of the automotive industry for quality, processability and functionality.”
The joint development is part of a “long-standing” partnership between the two companies, with the new TPE material created to be integrated into existing applications “without compromising on performance or processability.”
The development process began in 2023, focusing on maintaining existing standards while increasing the share of recycled raw materials, explained Kraiburg TPE.
Both the conventional material and the new recycling variant were tested under comparable conditions early in the project.
Results showed the new solution meets relevant requirements and can be “reliably integrated into the production process,” Kraiburg TPE added.
“The first results have shown that we are on the right track with this development,” said Alexander Mayer, senior business development manager at Kraiburg TPE.
“Our aim was to design a materials solution that saves more resources, while meeting the high-quality standards of the automotive industry.”
The resulting TPE grade contains 56% recycled content and offers a reduced resource footprint for demanding automotive applications.
Sebastien Roux, TPE material and process specialist at SaarGummi, said: “The new material meets the requirements of our application and can be reliably combined with existing components.”
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