Extrusion International 6-2023

35 Extrusion International 6/2023 New Compounds for Drinking Water and Hot Water Applications as well as Trendsetting TPE Solutions that Contain High Proportions of Bio-Based and Recycled Materials At Fakuma 2023 KRAIBURG TPE has put the spot on its leading com- petence in the field of thermoplas - tic elastomers (TPEs). The product innovations presented at the booth focused on a series of new TPE com- pounds for sophisticated drinking water and hot water applications. As part of its expanded line of circu- lar products, the manufacturer also showcased several materials that contain high proportions of bio- based and recycled raw materials of up to 80%. KRAIBURG TPE showcased the following four groundbreaking TPE developments as highlights of its appearance at Fakuma 2023: • THERMOLAST ® DW H2, a series of new, plasticizer-free TPE com- pounds for sanitary and drinking water tubes and hoses that com- ply with the tightened DTW-BWGL standard (mandatory from March 2025) for organic materials in con- tact with drinking water. Available in five hardness degrees from 70 Shore A to 40 Shore D, they are suit- able for low-cost processing on ex- isting extruder lines for polyolefins, provide good adhesion to PP and ensure smooth surfaces with high resistance to the growth of microor- ganisms in accordance with DVGW W270. The range of suitable appli- cations includes in particular shower tubes, pressure hoses and food hos- es as well as supply tubing in dish- washers and washing machines. • New Hot Water TPEs for hot wa- ter applications compliant with the KTW-BWGL standard, which are used in the environment of frequent- ly changing water temperatures, such as seals and showerheads. As first non-cross-linking TPEs in this market segment, they also facilitate processing by their increased flow - ability and easy ejection. They also feature good adhesion to PP and PE as well as improved compression set at higher temperatures. KRAIBURG TPE expects this innovative materials technology for applications in con- tact with drinking water to be finally certified by the end of 2023. • Second and third generation bio-based TPEs with a proportion of renewable raw materials of up to 71%, which are not in competition with the production of food or ani- mal feed. The compounds expand KRAIBURG TPE’s existing portfolio of sustainable materials for applica- tions where manufacturers and pro- cessing companies are increasingly looking for materials solutions that significantly reduce their carbon footprint. • TPEs with higher proportions of recycled materials of up to 80% from postindustrial and/or post- consumer waste streams. Recycling Content TPEs provide an attractive environmental balance. They can be used universally and excel with high adhesive strength in multicompo- nent compounds with plastics such as PA, PC/ABS or PP. KRAIBURG TPE www.kraiburg-tpe.com Oliver Zintner, CEO at KRAIBURG TPE: “Product reliability, sustainability and efficiency are the core requirements of our customers in the plastics industry. We are determined to meet these requirements by providing TPE solutions that set new standards with regard to high performance, cost-effective processing and exemplary environmental balance.” (Image: © 2023 KRAIBURG TPE) KRAIBURG TPE will be showcasing a series of innovative new thermoplastic elastomers for drinking water and hot water applications as well as an expanded range of trendsetting TPE solutions containing proportions of renewable and recycled materials (Image: © 2023 KRAIBURG TPE)