New technical possibilities for seals

A DIN standard was amended to make the project possible

Every toilet has a drain pipe fitted with a collar that seals against the ceramic. Due to its universal application, this type of seal is a very common product and is therefore subject to fierce competition.

A material innovation by De Beer Plastics made it possible to significantly reduce production costs. However, a DIN standard dating from 1989 stood in the way.

Material and process innovation with significant cost benefits

Replacing rubber with thermoplastic elastomers

Lobbying for the amendment of German Industrial Standards (DIN)

Results to be proud of

40% cost reduction

zonder concessies in kwaliteit, door omstelling van EPDM op hoogwaardige TPV (PP/EPDM). In een genormeerde markt waarin iedereen op dezelfde manier produceert, bestaat veel concurrentie op prijs. Het mogelijk maken van een alternatief proces en materiaal verandert het hele speelveld.

Change to the DIN standard

Thanks to the change in the DIN standard initiated by De Beer Plastics, a new standard has been established for these products. Almost all major European manufacturers have switched to TPV, with De Beer Plastics producing a large proportion of it.

New generation of TPVs developed

Together with its partners, De Beer Plastics has developed a new generation of TPVs for use in drain seals. Optimised for compression set and long service life, whilst maintaining a keen focus on cost efficiency.

I want that too

How did we achieve this?

Thanks to its many years of sector knowledge in the sanitary industry, combined with its expertise in soft plastics, De Beer Plastics understands better than anyone else the latest developments in the field of seals for sanitary applications. When a major client, for whom De Beer Plastics already produces millions of TPE seals annually for other applications, expressed an interest in exploring thermoplastic elastomers for drain collars, we turned this into a major project.

After a period of material and prototype development, the technical solution had been found. But it was only then that an old, almost forgotten DIN standard from the 1980s resurfaced, and it looked as though the project might still fail. But that was without counting on the perseverance of De Beer Plastics

Update to the DIN standard

The existing DIN 1379 standard was last updated in 1989. This standard sets out requirements for toilet drain pipes, of which the seal is a key component. These seals were required to comply with EN 681-1. This is a European standard that specifies quality requirements for elastomeric seals. In the early 1990s, a variant was introduced for thermoplastic elastomeric seals: EN 681-2.

The initial reaction from the DIN committee was: ‘Since when have TPEs been capable of this?’ Fortunately, we were able to convince them that the quality of our TPV meets all the standards, and thus offers a product that is equivalent to traditional elastomers. After a process lasting almost a year, the standard has been amended.

TPV compliant with EN 681-2

Since that first project, we have carried out numerous follow-up projects with TPV. To meet the requirements of EN 681-2, the material must satisfy strict criteria regarding compression set: the extent to which the material returns to its original shape after being compressed for a prolonged period. This is important for seals that need to remain effective for decades whilst under stress.

In addition, there are requirements regarding service life and resistance to chemicals. De Beer Plastics has commissioned the development of several compounds, enabling us to always select the right material for the required application.

Partnership with De Beer

De Beer Plastics has decades of experience in the injection moulding of soft plastics, including for seals. In addition, the De Beer Group boasts decades of market experience in the sanitary ware industry. This combination means we can offer our customers far more than just manufacturing. As a fully-fledged co-development partner, De Beer Plastics is able to tackle even the most challenging projects.

By working with us, you’ll gain a head start thanks to the fact that we’ve already completed hundreds of waterproofing projects. We understand how it works, the geometry, the materials and the standards.

Moulding challenges into Reality