Discover our Additives and Modifiers
What they are
Adhesion modifiers improve the bonding strength of TPEs to various substrates, including metals, plastics, and composites. Compatibilizers allow the alloying of incompatible polymers, leading to unique formulations where best of both worlds can be reached. Compatibilizers also contributes to the efficient recycling of multi-material combinations.
Applications
- TPE overmolding: Enhances the bond between TPEs and rigid thermoplastics like polyamide, ABS, or polycarbonate and its blends.
- Reinforced hoses : ensure superior adhesion between TPE and reinforcing yarn for unmatched performance
- Mats, flooring & roofing : superior mechanical properties in heavily filled TPO compounds
- Sealing applications: Provides stronger adhesion in gaskets, seals, and weatherstripping.
Benefits
- Facilitates overmolding in multi-material applications.
- Improves product durability by reducing delamination or peeling.
- Allows recyclability of multi-material combinations
Acti-Tech™ Compatibilizers
Learn more about Acti-Tech™ Compatibilizers here.
What they are
Plastomers are usually ethylene-based copolymers with elastomeric properties. They provide additional flexibility and impact resistance to TPEs.
Applications
- Automotive parts: Enhances the flexibility and softness of TPO used in bumpers and interior components.
- Film and packaging: Improves tear resistance and clarity.
Benefits
- Increases softness and elasticity.
- Enhances impact resistance without sacrificing structural integrity.
Queo™ Plastomers
Learn more a about Queo™ Plastomers here
What they are
SBCs are elastomers that offer excellent flexibility, elasticity, and processability. They are often used as modifiers blended with TPEs to achieve specific properties.
Applications
- Consumer products: Adds a soft-touch feel to tool handles and grips.
- Adhesives: Used as a modifier in hot-melt adhesives to improve flexibility and bonding.
Benefits
- Improves flexibility and elasticity in blends.
- Enhances processability and compatibility with other thermoplastics.
Styroflex® and Styrolux®
Learn more about Styroflex® and Styrolux® here.
What they are
Fine powders derived from TPO and TPU are obtained through mechanical or cryogenic grinding, with well-defined particle size distribution. They can be used in many different ways, to allow the use of performance materials in specific manufacturing techniques such as rotomolding or powder coating, and offer masterbatch producers and PVC formulators a user-friendly possibility to enhance surface properties or mechanical performance when blended with other materials.
Application
- Coatings: Improves abrasion resistance in industrial applications.
- Masterbatch: easy-to-handle modifier to tailor flexibility and compatibility properties
- PVC modification: to improve physical properties, abrasion resistance or provide an olefinic, transparent PVC alternative for fabric coating or flooring applications
Benefits
- Enables customization of hardness, flexibility, or texture.
- Provides additional wear and tear resistance.
Opti-Max™ Performance Powders
Learn more about Opti-Max™ Performance Powders here.
What they are
Antioxidants prevent the degradation of TPEs caused by heat, oxygen, or mechanical stress, extending product life. UV stabilizers protect TPEs from the damaging effects of sunlight and UV radiation, preventing cracking, fading, and material degradation.
Application
- All applications requiring superior heat-aging properties or high-temperature exposure
- All applications where TPE are exposed to direct or indirect sunlight exposure, especially for light colors.
- All applications where TPE parts need to maintain physical properties in harsh outdoor environments
Benefits
- Preserves mechanical properties, protecting materials from UV exposure, preventing degradation and loss of strength.
- Maintains aesthetics, ensuring long-term flexibility, color stability, and prevents discoloration, keeping products visually appealing.
- Enhances durability by extending product performance and resilience, especially in harsh outdoor environments.
- Improves thermal stability by reducing the risk of brittleness or weakening under fluctuating temperatures.
- Extends product lifespan, preventing wear, brittleness, and mechanical loss over time, ensuring long-lasting reliability.
Nordinox™ and Nordifos™ Antioxidants
Nordisorb™ and Nordistab™ UV Stabilizers
Learn more about Nordisorb™ and Nordistab™ UV Stabilizers here.
What they are
Specialty masterbatches are concentrated blends of additives or pigments designed to modify TPE properties or appearance.
Applications
- Coloring: Adds vibrant, consistent colors to TPE products without compromising mechanical properties.
- Functional enhancements: Includes additives for flame retardancy, antimicrobial properties, or improved processability.
- Long-term UV protection: combined with antioxidants and UV stabilizers, to provide superior performance throughout the lifetime of parts.
Benefits
- Customizes TPE products to meet specific application or regulatory requirements.
- Ready-to-use, drop-in solutions for TPE converters
- Reduces production costs by simplifying material processing.
Opti-Tec™ Masterbatches
Learn more about Opti-Tec™ Masterbatches here.
What they are
Adhesion modifiers improve the bonding strength of TPEs to various substrates, including metals, plastics, and composites. Compatibilizers allow the alloying of incompatible polymers, leading to unique formulations where best of both worlds can be reached. Compatibilizers also contributes to the efficient recycling of multi-material combinations.
Applications
- TPE overmolding: Enhances the bond between TPEs and rigid thermoplastics like polyamide, ABS, or polycarbonate and its blends.
- Reinforced hoses : ensure superior adhesion between TPE and reinforcing yarn for unmatched performance
- Mats, flooring & roofing : superior mechanical properties in heavily filled TPO compounds
- Sealing applications: Provides stronger adhesion in gaskets, seals, and weatherstripping.
Benefits
- Facilitates overmolding in multi-material applications.
- Improves product durability by reducing delamination or peeling.
- Allows recyclability of multi-material combinations
Acti-Tech™ Compatibilizers
Learn more about Acti-Tech™ Compatibilizers here.
What they are
Plastomers are usually ethylene-based copolymers with elastomeric properties. They provide additional flexibility and impact resistance to TPEs.
Applications
- Automotive parts: Enhances the flexibility and softness of TPO used in bumpers and interior components.
- Film and packaging: Improves tear resistance and clarity.
Benefits
- Increases softness and elasticity.
- Enhances impact resistance without sacrificing structural integrity.
Queo™ Plastomers
Learn more a about Queo™ Plastomers here
What they are
SBCs are elastomers that offer excellent flexibility, elasticity, and processability. They are often used as modifiers blended with TPEs to achieve specific properties.
Applications
- Consumer products: Adds a soft-touch feel to tool handles and grips.
- Adhesives: Used as a modifier in hot-melt adhesives to improve flexibility and bonding.
Benefits
- Improves flexibility and elasticity in blends.
- Enhances processability and compatibility with other thermoplastics.
Styroflex® and Styrolux®
Learn more about Styroflex® and Styrolux® here.
What they are
Fine powders derived from TPO and TPU are obtained through mechanical or cryogenic grinding, with well-defined particle size distribution. They can be used in many different ways, to allow the use of performance materials in specific manufacturing techniques such as rotomolding or powder coating, and offer masterbatch producers and PVC formulators a user-friendly possibility to enhance surface properties or mechanical performance when blended with other materials.
Application
- Coatings: Improves abrasion resistance in industrial applications.
- Masterbatch: easy-to-handle modifier to tailor flexibility and compatibility properties
- PVC modification: to improve physical properties, abrasion resistance or provide an olefinic, transparent PVC alternative for fabric coating or flooring applications
Benefits
- Enables customization of hardness, flexibility, or texture.
- Provides additional wear and tear resistance.
Opti-Max™ Performance Powders
Learn more about Opti-Max™ Performance Powders here.
What they are
Antioxidants prevent the degradation of TPEs caused by heat, oxygen, or mechanical stress, extending product life. UV stabilizers protect TPEs from the damaging effects of sunlight and UV radiation, preventing cracking, fading, and material degradation.
Application
- All applications requiring superior heat-aging properties or high-temperature exposure
- All applications where TPE are exposed to direct or indirect sunlight exposure, especially for light colors.
- All applications where TPE parts need to maintain physical properties in harsh outdoor environments
Benefits
- Preserves mechanical properties, protecting materials from UV exposure, preventing degradation and loss of strength.
- Maintains aesthetics, ensuring long-term flexibility, color stability, and prevents discoloration, keeping products visually appealing.
- Enhances durability by extending product performance and resilience, especially in harsh outdoor environments.
- Improves thermal stability by reducing the risk of brittleness or weakening under fluctuating temperatures.
- Extends product lifespan, preventing wear, brittleness, and mechanical loss over time, ensuring long-lasting reliability.
Nordinox™ and Nordifos™ Antioxidants
Nordisorb™ and Nordistab™ UV Stabilizers
Learn more about Nordisorb™ and Nordistab™ UV Stabilizers here.
What they are
Specialty masterbatches are concentrated blends of additives or pigments designed to modify TPE properties or appearance.
Applications
- Coloring: Adds vibrant, consistent colors to TPE products without compromising mechanical properties.
- Functional enhancements: Includes additives for flame retardancy, antimicrobial properties, or improved processability.
- Long-term UV protection: combined with antioxidants and UV stabilizers, to provide superior performance throughout the lifetime of parts.
Benefits
- Customizes TPE products to meet specific application or regulatory requirements.
- Ready-to-use, drop-in solutions for TPE converters
- Reduces production costs by simplifying material processing.
Opti-Tec™ Masterbatches
Learn more about Opti-Tec™ Masterbatches here.
Enhancing Performance and Functionality of Thermoplastic Elastomers
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are highly versatile materials, but their performance can be significantly enhanced through the use of additives and modifiers. These complementary materials help fine-tune elastomer properties such as adhesion, flexibility, durability, and resistance to environmental factors, enabling them to meet the specific demands of various industries.
Below is an overview of key additives and modifiers and how they work synergistically with TPEs like TPO, TPU, TPV, TPC, EVA, and SBC to elevate their properties.
Why Use Additives and Modifiers with Thermoplastic Elastomers?
Additives and modifiers play a critical role in expanding the capabilities of TPEs, making them adaptable to a wide range of applications. By selecting the right combination of materials, manufacturers can:
Performance
Achieve precise performance characteristics for demanding applications.
Temperature Capability
Adjust & improve low-temperature capability of polymers.
Multi-Material Combinations
Allow multi-material combinations by enhancing adhesion.
Outdoor and UV performance
Extend the outdoor & UV performance of elastomers.
Lifespan and Durability
Improve the lifespan and durability of their products.
Functionality
Tailor aesthetics and functionality to market demands.
Recycling
Provide solutions for recycling complex systems.
