Publication: Mar 27, 2022 Last updated: Jun 25, 2025

KRAIBURG TPE Automotive Application Breakthrough


KRAIBURG TPE has developed an innovative material technology that enables the production of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) that is fitting for various application in the automotive market including the low density TPE for extremely weight-saving components.

The automotive industry sets the pace being the most important consumer of TPEs. The flexibility of TPE materials helps manufacturers and designers meet performance, design and sustainability target they desire in the automotive applications.

Design, Comfort and Vibrant Interior Finishing

KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® TPE compounds offer many material advantages such as abrasion chemical and scratch resistance and soft touch elements in automotive interior applications. Some of the TPE compounds consist of soft touch as well as design functional elements. Also, the TPE compounds reduce annoying ratting and creaking noises when used for damping elements.

With the ability to render precise material color matching, the TPE compounds ensure vibrant hues for vehicle interiors, meeting color-fast requirements to ensure colors will not fade easily.

The TPE exhibit good adhesion with PP, ABS, ABS/PC and PMMA through both injection molding and extrusion.

KRAIBURG TPE’s TPE compounds comply with the low emission and odor requirements defined in Fogging DIN75201 and Ordor VDA270 standards.

Additionally, the TPE compounds are on par with OEM requirements namely, 03-10-104 (Renault) | B62 0300 (PSA) | DBL 5562 (Daimler) |GMW 15702, GMW 17374, GMW 14722 (GM) | GS 93042 (BMW) | MS-DC-242 (FCA) | STJLR.51.5306 (JLR) | TM-1010 (Tesla) | VW 50123 (VW) |WSS-M2D507 (Ford).

Typical automotive interior application including floor mats, cup holders, door sill panels, cable sleeves, thumb wheels, air conditioner flap and more.

High Quality Exterior Surface & Weather Resistance

KRAIBURG TPE compounds offer outstanding benefits for automotive exterior. The TPE compounds feature good weathering and UV resistance as well as thermal stability which is required in for exterior applications that are exposed to harsh weather and heat. The TPE compound has passed weathering tests such as the Kalahari and Florida test.

It displays excellent adhesion with a broad range of thermoplastics including PP, PP+30% glass fiber, SAN, ASA, PMMA, PC/ABS, and nylon, allowing for design innovation and flexibility of parts processing with multi-component injection molding.

The THERMOLAST® TPE compound meets OEM approval from global automotive majors including 03-10-104 (Renault)| B62 0300 (PSA) |DBL 5562, DBL 5422 (Daimler) |GMW 15702, GMW 16233 (GM) |GS 93042 (BMW) |MS-DC-242 (FCA) |STJLR.51.5306 (JLR) |TM-1010 (Tesla) |VW 50123, TL 52622 (VW) |WSS-M2D505 |WSS-M2D517 (Ford).

The compound’s high surface quality and excellent flow properties make it ideal for automotive exterior applications like window encapsulation, water deflector, side mirror gasket and sealing for brake lights.

Lightweight TPE

The selective series of lightweight properties are ideal for diverse automotive applications like door sealing systems, cowl sealings, anti-rattle seals, window encapsulations, roof rail mats and more.

The lightweight TPE, possessing a density of <0.8g/cm³, has excellent compression set as well as smooth and uniform surface.

It also exhibits good weathering resistance, having passed weathering tests such as the Kalahari and Florida tests.

The TPE compounds exhibits good adhesion with polyolefins materials (PP/PE, TPS, TPV) through injection molding and coextrusion.

KRAIBURG TPE Quick Facts
 

  • Founded in 2001 as an independent business unit of the KRAIBURG Group 
  • HQ & Production Site: Waldkraiburg / Germany
  • Regional HQ & Production site: Kuala Lumpur / Malaysia, Atlanta / USA
  • Products: Thermoplastic Elastomer Compounds
  • Brands: THERMOLAST®, COPEC®, HIPEX®, and For Tec E®
  • Markets: EMEA, APAC, Americas
  • Employees: 660

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27.03.2022 MEDIA PACKAGE FOR KRAIBURG TPE Automotive Application Breakthrough

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