Water hose manufacturers and product engineers today face increasing challenges in developing drinking water applications that meet consumer expectations for safety, durability, flexibility, and long-term performance. As regulations become more stringent and users demand cleaner and safer water solutions, selecting the right material has become a critical consideration in hose design and manufacturing. Materials must not only support reliable water conveyance but also provide excellent processing performance, resistance to environmental conditions, and compliance with drinking water safety requirements.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global manufacturer of thermoplastic elastomers and customized solutions for multiple industries, brings the THERMOLAST® K Series that meets industrial and manufacturing standards for durability, flexibility and safety compliance for drinking water hose applications.

Optimized for robust adhesion and durability
THERMOLAST® K Series offers ease in processing, being suitable for both injection molding and extrusion processes, enabling efficient production and greater design flexibility for manufacturers. Imbued with excellent mechanical properties, the series features low kinking properties, ensuring consistent water flow and resistance to structural damage. Additionally, the compounds demonstrate excellent adhesion to polypropylene (PP), making it suitable for multi-component applications that require secure and consistent bonding.

Color and texture versatility
THERMOLAST® K Series is available in translucent grades and can be pre-colored according to customer specifications for functional and aesthetic product requirements. The compounds’ soft-touch features open up a range of application possibilities from shower hoses, hoses for household appliances, jet formers, and seals, to various functional and design elements used in the sanitary sector.

How does TPE support safe drinking water applications?
THERMOLAST® K Series complies with international material protocols, including Regulation (EU) No 10/2011, and has achieved WRAS approvals according to BS6920-1:2000 and/or 2014 standards for both cold water (23 °C) and warm water (60 °C) applications. The series has excellent UV, ozone, and weather resistance, and contains no latex, PVC, or plasticizers, phthalates, or heavy metals. This material solution also ensures a surface with low sensitivity to dirt and other contaminants, keeping the product clean and non-tacky during use.

Sustainability from the get-go
At KRAIBURG TPE, sustainability drives our innovation. Our portfolio includes bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs are certified under GRS and ISCC PLUS. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data upon request to support sustainability decisions.
We proudly earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our goals with global climate action.
From reducing emissions to increasing circularity, our sustainable TPEs deliver reliable performance and are available worldwide to support your applications while advancing your sustainability goals.
Get in touch today to learn how KRAIBURG TPE can support your sustainability and product development journey.
Discover More with TPE: With increasing focus on hygiene, safety, durability, and sustainable material selection, KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® K Series continues to support manufacturers in developing innovative, compliant, and high-quality drinking water solutions, such as smart water dispensers and smart drinking bottle. 

Disclaimer: The applications mentioned are illustrative of material capabilities only. Final product suitability and regulatory compliance must be assessed and validated by the customer.

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