Soft plastics & TPE injection moulding

TPE: a whole world of its own, somewhere between rubber and plastics

With tens of thousands of different compounds and endless possibilities, the world of thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) is largely uncharted territory for many injection moulders. But not for De Beer Plastics!

Our site in Linsengericht began as a mould maker for the rubber industry and has witnessed the rise of soft plastics from day one. From the first types of soft PVC in the 1960s to today’s most advanced thermoplastic elastomers.

Replacing rubber with TPE

Thermoplastic elastomers are often used as a replacement for conventional elastomers. As TPEs are thermoplastic, they can be injection moulded, which offers numerous advantages.

Short cycle times are possible, making production efficient and significantly reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, TPEs are environmentally friendly and recyclable. The waste generated during production can be reintroduced into the production process.

Thanks to these process advantages, it is almost always possible to achieve cost savings compared to rubber.

Impossible shapes

One of the things that sets De Beer Plastics apart is its ability to produce challenging products that might seem impossible. By making clever use of the elastic properties of soft materials, we are able to create shapes with complex undercuts.

Using these techniques, which have been perfected over the years in our in-house mould-making department, we manufacture, amongst other things, high-quality hearing protection, smart protective covers for handheld devices and millions of sleeves for drainage applications in the plumbing industry.

2K: hard + soft combination

Soft plastic components are often used as seals or for a soft-grip finish. In both cases, combining hard and soft components within a single product offers numerous advantages. This allows you to reduce the number of assembly steps or create connections that are airtight or watertight.

For the thermal bonding of two materials in 2K injection moulding, the materials must be compatible. This is easily achievable with PP and TPE, but if other plastics are involved, special, modified materials are required. De Beer Plastics, together with its compounding partners, will guide you through this selection process.