Challenges of Thermoplastic Elastomers(TPE)

1)GLOBALIZATION
Global platform usage is increasing with Volkswagen Group MQB platform implementing global
TPE standard followed by OEMs Toyota, Ford, Hyundai and General motor typically on B and
C segment vehicles. This creates opportunities for TPE suppliers with global. The challenges is
to implement global specifications (SPE TPE 2013 DETROIT, 2013). The starting steps is to
have a uniform global Thermoplastic Elastomer supply and fabrication footprint. Follow OEM
regional shifts to assure global footprint. This will retain value associated with global standards
and avoid commoditization and price challengers from local thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
suppliers.

2)WEIGHT SAVING
Weight saving will be a key target with new fuel economy regulations. A series of thermoplastic
elastomer (TPE) compounds for window encapsulation and other injection molded automotive
sealing applications provides a higher-flow alternative to thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs)
while offering the potential for weight savings because of their low density. Potential to save
weight while adding value to help meet steeply increased emissions requirements.

3) COST SAVING
The main disadvantage of TPEs is their high cost compared to other plastics. Manufacturer are
working to examine total costs so that TPE would be in high demand for quality of performance,
form and function. Solutions that can be carried out is reduction of part count makes it possible
to mold and assemble what would otherwise be a much more expensive multipart structure at or
near the cost expected for parts made with competing materials
[1]. Redesign for ease of assembly and recycling can provide to reduction of labor cost to carried
the process.

Future of Thermoplastic Elastomer(TPE)

The global consumption of TPE was estimated to have grown from 3.7 million metric
tons in 2013 to 4.2 million metric tons in 2015. It is expected to grow further to 5.5 million tons
in 2020, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2015 to 2020 of 5.5 percent. The
automotive and building and construction markets represent more than half of global TPE
consumption. While the recession strongly affected these two markets, only the automotive
sector seems to have made a partial recovery [2]
Another analysis estimates the current global TPE market (2013) at 3751300 metric tons
and its growth to 5070000 metric tons by 2022.The Asia?Pacific is the largest market segment
with 1560500 metric tons(42% of the total).Details are in figure 1 [3] . China represent the
largest volume market in the world mainly due to its massive footwear industry. Through
2009,Chinas TPE market is predicted to expand and diversify rapidly based on the countrys
significant position in the production of many of the key products manufacture with TPE parts
and components. However, with notable exception of China,global TPE sales will remain
concentrated in the developed markets of the United States, Western Europe and Japan
particularly for higher performance materials such as copolyester elastomers(COPEs) and
standard and thermoplastic vulcanizates(TPVs)

Market

Year
2012

2013

2014

2018

Asia/Pacific

1450.2

1560.5

1681.1

2281

NAFTA

909.8

944.2

985.7

1186.4

Europe

689.2

717.2

753.8

948.1

Rest Of the
World

503.4

529.3

557.3

684.5

Total

3552.6
3751.2
3977.9
5070.0
Figure 1: Estimated Global Thermoplastic Market Region (in 1000 metric tons)

[1] TPE use predicted to top 5 million tonnes by 2020. (2016, 1 15). Retrieved from Plastics
News: http://www.plasticsnews.com/article/20160114/NEWS/301159999/tpe-use-predicted-totop-5-million-tonnes-by-2020
[2] Mason, K. (2004, 1 1). Parts consolidation key to lower cost composites.
Retrieved from Composites World :
http://www.compositesworld.com/articles/parts-consolidation-key-to-lowercost-composites
[3] Rapra, S. (2013). Estimated global Thermoplastic Elastomer Market by Region.
Future of global elastomers market forecasts to 2018.
SPE TPE 2013 DETROIT, M. (. (2013). THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS:MEETING
AUTOMOTIVES CHALLENGES.