Thermoplastic Elastomer or TPE is a material obtaining a wide range of physical and mechanical properties of both plastic and rubber. It's the favorite choice of many product developers, processors, and designers. We can see its applications almost everywhere, including the automotive industry, industrial products, consumer goods, medical applications, etc.
If you want to utilize TPE in your products, this article includes some reliable Thermoplastic Elastomer suppliers for your reference.
1. Why Should You Choose Thermoplastic Elastomer?
Before getting to our list of Thermoplastic Elastomer suppliers, let's find out more about TPE plastic to understand why it's an ideal candidate for your business.
A thermoplastic elastomer is a combination of crystalline and amorphous materials. This plastic compound has outstanding features of both rubber and plastic. Thanks to its hard and soft phases, the material is extremely versatile. Therefore it can be suitable for both rigid and flexible components. The process of producing TPE plastic includes extrusion techniques, blow molding, injection molding, and compression molding.
In general, thermoplastic elastomer has the following key features:
- Good flexural and tensile strength
- High impact strength with great elasticity
- Good creep dimensional stability
- Good electrical properties
- Ability to resist chemicals wear and tear, and weathering.
- It can be transparent or pigmented
- Recyclable
TPE plastics are used in various applications in different sectors with industry-specific criteria, including:
- Interior car parts
- Automated sealing systems
- Airbag covers
- Vehicle mats
- Cell phone cases
- sporting goods
- kitchen gadgets
- toys
- tool grips
- food containers
- medical instruments
2. Best Thermoplastic Elastomer Suppliers
2.1. Americhem
Americhem is a well-known designer and manufacturer of custom functional additives, engineered compounds, color masterbatch, and performance technologies. The company was established in 1941 as the first business to sell additives and pigments to the rubber industry. Now, their headquarters Central research and development facilities are located in Ohio. Besides, they also have manufacturing plants and sales offices worldwide. Their slogan is to deliver Performance, Solutions, and Trust to their partners to help them optimize their polymer products. Their products, including TPE plastic, are high quality, reliable, and valuable, with complete technical support.
2.2. Sinopec Group
This state-owned Chinese oil and Gas corporation, also known as China Petroleum and chemical corporation, is one of the leading thermoplastic elastomer manufacturers. The company was established in 2000 and has its main office in Beijing, China. Their TPE plastics are well known under the name YANAC, which is used in different industrial fields such as construction, automotive and consumer goods.
2.3. Evonik Industries
Evonik Industries, founded in 2007, is a German specialty chemical company. The company is known as a big manufacturer and supplier of different types of plastics, including thermoplastic elastomers. Their TPE plastics are produced under the name Vestamid and Vestamid E.
2.4. BASF
The company has a long history of development. It was founded by Friedrich Engelhorn in 1865. With several changes, BASF is now one of the leading manufacturers in producing thermoplastic elastomers. You can find their products under the brand name Elastollan. Their TPE plastics are flexible, elastic, and resistant to chemicals, weathering, and abrasion.
2.5. Lubrizol
Lubrizol, another manufacturer, and supplier from Ohio, USA, was founded by Frank A. Nason in 1928. Besides thermoplastic elastomers, the company also produces coatings, polymers, and additives. All of their products are high quality, durable and reliable.
2.6. Dow
Dow is an American global chemical business. It was founded in 1987, with the main office now in Michigan, USA. The company has a very high quality of thermoplastic elastomers. Besides, it is also one of the biggest manufacturers of polymers, chemicals, and agricultural goods.
2.7. Eastman Chemical Company
The company was founded in 1920, and now it's one of the leading manufacturers of specialty materials. They have produced many different types of materials for various industrial fields, including their famous TPE plastics. HYTREL and TRITANTM are the two most famous brands of the company.
2.8. Kraton
It is an American Chemical company founded in 2001 with its base in Texas, USA. Their products are usually known under the name KRATON® and CARIFLEX®. The applications of their TPEs include automation and healthcare.
2.9. Covestro
The precursor of Covestro is Bayer MaterialScience. This German multinational chemical business now produces different types of plastics, and thermoplastic elastomers are one of their high-performance polymer products.
2.10. SABIC
SABIC, also known as Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, was founded in 1976. Now its main office is in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The company is one of the biggest chemical manufacturers in the world. Their products are diverse, including TPEs. The thermoplastic elastomer products are produced under the two product lines: VERSAFLEX and LNP THERMOCOMP.
3. Looking for More Reliable Names in the Masterbatch - Consider EuroPlas
EuroPlas is one of the leading manufacturers that can satisfy a wide range of requirements for unique plastic raw material solutions to optimize production costs and improve the competitiveness of the customers. We have a wide range of products to offer our cooperators:
Our product is a combination of calcium carbonate primary reason and other plastic additives based on the customers' requirements. It has many advantages, such as improved stiffness and bend strength, reduced shrinkage, the capability to enhance stability, printability, and surface quality of the final products, and energy savings. It helps manufacturers save costs, improve productivity and produce high-quality plastic products.
Our color Masterbatch is made from high-quality pigments, carrier resin, and some special additives, creating a colorful and attractive appearance. Besides, it is not harmful to the environment and helps the manufacturers to save time and cost in the production process.
EuroPlas has a wide range of additives for plastic, such as Flame retardants, Desiccants, Odor removing additives, Anti-UV additives, Anti-aging additives, Anti-fog additives, Antistatic additives, Anti-blocking additives, and Processing-aid additives. It can improve the material's performance according to specific requirements.
EuroPlas Engineering Plastic Compounds are various, including PA6, PA66 blend compound, PBT GF-FR compound, ABS Glass fiber compound, ABS Antistatic compound, PC flame retardant compound, and ABS. Their high-quality flexibility and other outstanding features are suitable for automobile, electronics manufacturing, interior decoration, and renewable energy.
The Bioplastic Compound of Europlas is an innovative solution for sustainable industries and the environment. Our exclusive product, BioNext, can be decomposable within 12 months after use. The material will help your end product pass all strict quality control requirements.