【 Building materials network 】Today Thermoplastic elastomer The growing development is attributed to the recovery of the automobile industry, the popularity of new soft touch packaging, and PVC Alternative materials are used in the healthcare industry, said Robert Eller, a market analyst.
　　
Most of the growth is global, in China, India and other Applications in developing countries are also increasing.
　　
But Eller said TPE The development prospect is also bright. He mentioned the recovery of the automobile industry, which accounts for about half of all TPE consumption, plus the continuous emergence of various new applications in the medical and packaging fields. He said that the return of the manufacturing industry also brought some of its business back to the United States from China.
　　
In terms of automobiles, TPE mainly focuses on the body Glass and Sealing element 、 Hose And exterior body side styling.
　　
Eller said, radiator Hoses are a demanding application and may require a co extrusion process. He called the hose application field "great potential, but great technical challenges."
　　
Eller held the "T" conference held by the American Society of Plastic Engineers in Akron, Ohio, on September 10-12 PET o pC "We have considered developing in this field for five or six years, but now it seems to be just starting," said on the conference
　　
Medical care is a fast growing market. TPE is used in blood bags and medical tubes instead of PVC.
　　
In terms of packaging, TPE is used on seals and labels. One notable application example is an aspirin bottle from Bayer, which uses a TPE cover that is easy to open. Eller said, "The soft touch trend has extended to the packaging field."
　　
After foaming, TPE can make the relatively thin coating of soft materials have high fluidity.