HEXPOL TPE
About us
4 reasons to talk to HEXPOL TPE at Plastteknik...
1. CUSTOMISED TPE MATERIALS
We were one of the first companies to produce TPEs in Europe, and the possibilities still inspire us - yes, we are self-confessed TPE freaks! We can adjust TPE hardness, colour and mechanical properties to meet your application requirements.
2. PRODUCT SAFETY
Our TPEs are used in many sensitive applications, from medical tubing to toys, electronics to food contact, automotive interiors to personal care. We strive to make the most responsible TPEs in the market, focusing on material compliance and regulatory standards.
3. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
We can support your transition from virgin-fossil sources and help calculate and reduce your product carbon footprints. Our portfolio includes Biobased TPEs. TPEs with recycled content (PIR, PCR). ISCC PLUS certified Bio +/or Bio-circular attributed TPEs via mass balance.
4. MEET DEX - the original TPE Freak!
Products & services
Dryflex TPE
Dryflex thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are supremely versatile, combining the performance of thermoset rubbers with the processing ease of plastics and based on the full range of TPS, TPO and TPV technologies. We are continuously developing new compounds; adapting to changing market needs and we will continue to do so thanks to the development potential of its properties. Key features • 0 Shore A to 45 Shore D • Soft Touch Appeal • Easy to Process • Wide Service Temperature Range • Adhesion to Engineering Thermoplastics • High Scratch and Abrasion Resistance • Flame-Retardant • Highly Transparent Grades • Good Compression Set Resistance • Recyclable in Closed-Loop systems Applications include: Toothbrushes, glazing gaskets, toys, electronics, home appliances, automotive interior and exterior, baby products, sports equipment...among others
Mediprene TPE
Mediprene Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs) were developed to address the demands of the medical device industry. But the Mediprene concept does not start and end with the product; it also encompasses how we work. From our Mediprene team, with specialist knowledge of the medical market. Through product development, raw-material selection, regulatory compliance, to production controls, traceability and change management. This offers customers highly customisable materials originating from medical raw materials with high biocompatibility status and compounded under clean conditions. Maximising the probability that their devices will pass relevant medical tests. Features • Flexibility & elasticity • Zero Shore A to 62 Shore D • Translucent and highly transparent grades • Soft touch • Excellent resistance to many fluids used in the health-care environment • PVC, silicone and latex free • Adhesion to PP, PE, ABS, PC, PETG and SMMA • Short cycle times • Easy to colour Applications include; medical tubing, syringe plunger seals, IV systems, drip chambers, intubation equipment, wound care products, medical packaging, resealable membranes and soft touch grips on medical devices.
Dryflex Green : TPE with Bio Content
Introducing Dryflex Green, a range of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds made from renewable sources like plants and vegetable crops. These biobased TPEs are designed to provide high performance while enabling the switch from fossil feedstocks. We have developed several compounds with amounts of renewable content to over 90% (ASTM D 6866-12) and hardness from 15 Shore A to 60 Shore D. Key Benefits: Dryflex Green TPE compounds display mechanical and physical properties comparable to TPE from fossil-based raw materials • Percentage and type of renewable content (to over 90% ASTM D 6866-12) • Hardness (15 Shore A to 60 Shore D) • Durable and long-lasting • Drop-in solution • No pre-drying • Adhesion to polymers, such as PE, PP, ABS, PC/ABS, PET etc • Easy to Colour • Filled or unfilled grades • Good mechanical behaviour such as flexibility and tensile properties • Surface finish and haptics • UV and heat stability • Recyclable in closed-loop systems Dryflex Green TPEs can be used in many applications currently using conventional TPEs, such as soft-touch grips and handles, sealing and closures, automotive, consumer goods, sports equipment, toys and infant care.
Dryflex Circular : TPE with Recycled Content
Keeping valuable materials in circulation. Increasing the use of recycled and renewable materials will help support the move to a circular economy model by lowering the demand for finite fossil-based virgin materials. We’re working hard to turn waste into a resource, taking recycled polymers and incorporating them into the Dryflex Circular range of Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPEs). Recyclate Sources include: PIR : Post Industrial Recyclate Recyclate comes from hygienic and medical applications. We’re continually investigating new sources. Target Applications: • Consumer Goods • Sports Equipment • Footwear • Automotive Interior + Exteriors • & more These grades are available in natural colours. PCR : Post Consumer Recyclate: Recyclate sources include recycled PP from end-of-life vehicles, including automotive interior and exterior applications. Other sources include household plastic waste. Target Applications: • Automotive exteriors and technical parts. • Outdoor equipment. • Safety barriers. These grades are only available in dark colours. MWR : Maritime Waste Recyclate We’re working with PLASTIX, a Danish recycling company. They convert used fishnets, trawls and ropes that would previously have ended up in the ocean or on landfill, into high-grade raw materials. The source of the recyclate we use in our Dryflex MWR TPEs consists mainly of post-use maritime ropes. Target Applications: • Consumer Goods • Automotive Exteriors • Outdoor Equipment These grades are available in black, blue, green and mint colours.
TPE with Bio-Attributed Content via Mass Balance
These TPEs were developed to enable the shift away from fossil resources and support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions while ensuring the quality, properties and regulatory status remain the same. Mass balance allows for a gradual increase of the bio share using existing infrastructure with the target to reduce the use of fossil resources step by step. It is an approach to account for materials entering and leaving a system. Why Mass Balance? • Enabling a gradual shift from virgin and fossil feedstocks. • No need for investments in new equipment and processes since it is a drop-in solution. • ISCC Plus certification through the value chain guarantees transparency and accuracy. • Allows for the use of 2nd generation feedstocks for high-quality polymers. Mass Balance For Medical TPE Materials We identified mass balance as a good option for our medical customers as the resulting TPE material is a drop-in solution with identical properties. This is because monomers from renewable sources, but with the same quality and purity as those of fossil origin, are used to make bio-circular polymers (through mass balance). We can replace the fossil polymers in our Mediprene TPE compounds with the bio-attributed mass-balanced version to create a 1:1 replacement. The technical properties, chemical composition, and regulatory status of the mass balance TPE will be the same as the corresponding fossil-based material.
Lifocork Biocomposites
The main quantity of natural cork which is harvested today is used as pressed cork or mixed with PU or rubber. The processing of this kind of cork can be expensive and require a lot of energy. We have developed a special manufacturing method to combine natural cork with thermoplastic raw materials. Meaning Lifocork can be processed using typical thermoplastic processing methods such as injection moulding, extrusion or thermoforming. Typical Applications Lifocork is suitable for a wide range of applications, with new ideas being introduced every day. Its comfortable feel and non-slip texture make it a good choice for handles and grips, where it has been used in sports equipment, tools and household items. Lifocork has also been used to manufacture bowls, trays, boxes and plant pots and toys. In 2K applications, the material can be overmoulded or co-extruded onto TPE, PP or PE. Allowing for sophisticated designs and enhancing consumer appeal with the integration of a soft-touch area. Plates, belts, endless tapes and tech profiles can be manufactured from Lifocork via the extrusion process. You also get a damping effect for orthopaedic shoe lifts by foaming Lifocork. We offer coloured Lifocork compounds or it can be easily coloured using a standard PE masterbatch, opening up even more design possibilities.