Smooth Touch TPE for packaging and design

Reduced, smart, and high-quality – the packaging and design market is changing. Materials solutions that accompany manufacturers on this journey are in demand. KRAIBURG TPE meets this demand with a new materials series: The TPEs were developed in relation to the market demands for valuable solutions. The result is a product series designed especially for applications that want to put emphasis on outstanding touch quality – combined with an attractive price.

There is a worldwide change in the way of thinking – the “less is more” mindset is driven particularly by more conscious and longer-term purchase decisions. This means that customers are targeting development and design departments and bind them to break new ground. Whether plastics are used as (a part of) packaging or individual design element or component – the requirements for them are increasing and solutions are in demand that save resources and provide additional added value such as outstanding touch quality.

For this reason, KRAIBURG TPE is now offering thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) particularly suited for applications that benefit from a surface with optimized gliding properties. The focus is clearly on packaging for high-quality cosmetic products but also on direct additions for consumer products from the electronics or household sectors. Launching products is made easier, as Smooth Touch TPEs also meet standard regulations for the food sector.

With the new series, KRAIBURG TPE takes a decisive step: it was developed based on formulations and experiences from the medical sector to meet the requirements for excellent frictional behavior. This is the reason why the new products are also an ideal materials solution for diverse market industries that require a surface with optimized gliding properties and want the end user to benefit from a unique touch quality.

The series also provides adhesion to polyolefins such as polypropylene and can easily be ejected. In addition, the compounds comply with REACH and RoHS requirements. The compounds can be produced in any color the customer desires.

An overview of other advantages Smooth Touch TPEs provide:

• Good mechanical properties
• Excellent compression set 
• Chemical resistance 
• Suitable for multi-component injection molding
• Conformity with Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011 
• Conformity with Mercosur No 39/19
• Conformity with GB 4806-2016
• Conformity with US FDA CFR 21 
• Conformity with DIN EN 71-3

“Motivated by the requirements for design and packaging, we are very well prepared for current and future projects with these new, advanced compounds. We are looking forward to many exciting projects with this new Smooth Touch series, which is also particularly convincing in cases where low surface friction is required,” summarizes B. Eng. Eugen Andert at KRAIBURG TPE.

This THERMOLAST® K product is now available.