Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is astonishing.

Release Date:

2020-08-08

Author:

A report indicates that global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) is poised to grow at a double-digit rate over the next few years, representing an impressive increase and highlighting significant untapped growth potential. According to the report, TPE’s demand is expected to expand at a double-digit annual rate in the coming years, underscoring its remarkable growth prospects and the need to take its development potential seriously. Thanks to their ease of processing, weather resistance, soft tactile feel, and excellent colorability, TPEs are increasingly being adopted across a wide range of applications. The automotive industry accounts for the largest share of TPE consumption, followed by the construction sector. Among the many applications of TPE, the automotive industry and its components represent the biggest segment, with TPE being used, for example, in the production of splash guards.

A report indicates that global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is poised to grow at a double-digit rate over the next several years, representing an impressive expansion with significant untapped growth potential that cannot be overlooked.

　　According to a report, global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) is expected to grow at a double-digit rate over the next few years, representing an impressive expansion with significant growth potential that cannot be overlooked. Thanks to their ease of processing, weather resistance, soft tactile feel, and excellent colorability, TPE applications are steadily increasing across a wide range of industries.

The automotive industry accounts for the largest share, followed by the construction industry.

Among the many applications of TPE, automotive and automotive components account for the largest share. TPE is used to manufacture exterior trim parts such as splash guards, seals, and wiper blades, as well as interior components like airbags, rearview mirrors, sound-insulating materials, anti-slip mats, adjustment pads, and beverage cup holders, serving as a substitute for EPDM and PVC.

There are several reasons why automotive component manufacturers are phasing out EPDM and PVC, a trend that is particularly pronounced in Europe. Jean-Marc Imbert, European Market Manager for Ethylene Elastomers at DuPont Dow Elastomers Ltd., points out that the growing demand for sustainability is driving the increasing market potential of TPEs. The need to reduce vehicle weight calls for low-density, foamable materials; stringent requirements for low-emission substances mandate the absence of plasticizers; automotive components must be recyclable; and the substitution of PVC with halogen-free systems are all key drivers behind TPEs’ rising market appeal.

KRAIBURG TPE has disclosed to this publication that, on average, about 10 to 15 kilograms of TPE are used per vehicle. In addition to exterior and interior trim components, non-slip mats represent a substantial market segment.

In addition, airbags and constant-velocity joint boot assemblies represent markets with substantial growth potential. DSM Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd., which primarily manufactures TPE-E, focuses its elastomer portfolio on producing these two automotive components. According to Schroeder, Product Manager for the Arnitel business in the Asia-Pacific region at DSM, annual consumption of TPE for these two applications reaches 12,000 metric tons and 17,000 metric tons, respectively.

Another major application area for TPE is the construction industry, where it is used as sealing strips and gaskets for doors and windows. According to Bu Gaode, Sales Manager and Application Engineer at KRAIBURG TPE, TPE’s excellent processability, ease of coloration, lack of need for pre-drying, superior mechanical properties, and outstanding weather resistance have enabled it to gradually penetrate the furniture sector, traditionally dominated by ABS. Meanwhile, heightened safety awareness in Europe is driving a gradual reduction in the use of PVC windows and doors to prevent plasticizer migration; coupled with the challenges of coloring EPDM and its inability to be welded, these factors have created favorable opportunities for TPE applications.

DSM has developed a breathable TPE film for the European and American markets as a building material. When a laminated layer of this breathable film is applied to walls, it helps keep indoor spaces cool and comfortable, while the film itself is only 10–15 μm thick. According to Schroeder, this TPE-based building material became widely adopted in Europe and North America four to five years ago; however, its adoption has been more challenging in Asia due to the region’s humid climate, which allows moisture to penetrate even when such a film is installed. Nonetheless, TPE remains one of the ideal materials for construction applications.

Processing of TPE and Future Design

Like other thermoplastic polymers, TPE is susceptible to moisture absorption during transportation. According to Lai Yiyen, Manager of the Elastomer Business Division for South China at Huatek, TPE must be dried prior to injection molding or blow molding—typically at 80°C for two hours. Taking Huatek’s HAR series as an example, this material supports dual-material injection molding without the need for adhesives or solvents as pre-molding treatments; however, it is essential to ensure complete drying to enhance interfacial adhesion, and the mold design should incorporate larger bonding areas between the soft and hard materials or include specialized three-dimensional structures to improve adhesion.

TPV is a type of TPE, but it is relatively sensitive to shear forces. Advanced Elastomer Systems (AES), which specializes in TPV production, points out that TPV is a shear-thinning material; therefore, during injection molding, all factors that influence shear—such as injection speed—must be carefully considered, and these considerations are even more critical than temperature control. In mold design, because elastomers are flexible materials, ejection can present certain challenges. The parting line, gate, and venting ports should all be designed with great care. If TPV is used in two-component injection molding, the rigid component must be molded first before the elastomer is injected.

A defining characteristic of TPE is its soft tactile feel. Mei Se Wong, Marketing Control Manager at KRAIBURG TPE, believes that this softness will continue to be the design direction for TPE in the future, and when combined with the currently popular transparent aesthetic, it is poised to set new trends. In terms of materials, TPE will increasingly be used in combination with other thermoplastics, such as PMMA, PC, and PS.

Schroeder agrees that a soft tactile feel will continue to drive market trends, but processors will demand shorter production cycles and seek more cost-effective processing methods. At the same time, material flowability must be improved to further capture rubber’s market share; for example, spring-bed foam mattresses and automotive seat covers are likely to shift from rubber to greater use of TPE. In terms of applications, several new areas hold promise: for instance, credit cards, currently made from PC or PVC, could potentially be manufactured from TPE—though this may involve challenges related to laser coding technology. Another emerging application is food packaging: because TPE complies with FDA standards and can come into direct contact with food, it offers significant advantages in film and container applications.

Lai Yiyan also stated that, in a consumer market that prioritizes comfort, high-quality aesthetics, and casual styling, TPE offers an exceptional tactile feel and premium texture, while providing adequate shock absorption. Moreover, its ability to bond soft and rigid materials is unmatched by other materials. Consequently, TPE will see further expansion in applications such as mobile phones and walkie-talkies in the 3C industry, as well as diving equipment and bicycle handlebars in the sports-goods sector.

AES has previously collaborated with industrial product designers from around the world to develop a range of innovative solutions, including the integration of sealing strips and handles in small electronic devices; colorants that create special visual effects to differentiate products; the combination of soft and rigid materials to generate geometric and interface-defined lines; and the integration of three materials with distinct hardness levels into a single component. The company will continue to strengthen its partnerships with designers worldwide, with a particular focus on the Chinese market.

There is a wide range of materials available on the market, and many thermoplastics and modified plastics can also achieve soft-touch properties and rubber-like tactile characteristics. Could this put some pressure on TPE? AES believes this is not a serious concern, as not all materials that offer a soft feel and rubber-like performance are created equal. Although many modified plastics—and even various TPEs—may exhibit similar physical properties, their long-term performance can diverge over time. Therefore, processors must carefully select their TPE suppliers; for example, if TPV is required but an unvulcanized TPE is chosen instead, the resulting performance will fall short of expectations. Collaborating with TPE suppliers that have extensive experience in TPE production and successful application development is highly beneficial.

TPE Consumption is Growing in China

Due to its broad application scope, ease of processing, recyclability, and environmental friendliness, TPE is increasingly popular among end users. Many industries are gradually replacing traditional rubber with TPE, and the Chinese TPE market is expanding at an astonishing pace.

According to a report on the Chinese TPE market, the consumer goods and automotive industries are the two major application sectors for TPE. The consumer goods market encompasses a wide range of products, including kitchenware and garden tools, power tools, small household appliances, and personal electronics such as mobile phones. Growth in these segments is largely driven by component sourcing in China by manufacturers based in the United States, Europe, and Japan. As these local processors and system suppliers gain experience, they are increasingly able to provide recommendations for domestic consumer products—for example, incorporating soft-touch surfaces into product designs.

In the automotive market, millions of vehicles worldwide have successfully incorporated TPE and TPV, with applications spanning under-the-hood and underbody components, window guide channels, interior trim, and exterior trim. Automotive OEMs’ growing interest in TPV for enhancing vehicle aesthetics and performance will further drive the material’s adoption in China.

Lai Yiyan pointed out that the SBS, SEBS, SEPS, and EPDM/PP grades are currently the most commonly used in the Chinese market, with widespread applications in hardware tools, stationery, sporting goods, toys, and personal care products, as well as in wire and cable and medical devices. In addition, although PVC still holds a significant market share in the construction industry, the trend of TPE replacing PVC cannot be overlooked, particularly in door and window sealing strips. He believes that TPE materials have garnered global attention due to their environmental friendliness, and for China to align with international standards and emerge as a major global economic power, it must meet international environmental requirements. Therefore, accelerating the development of TPE in China has become an imperative.