The European Rubber Journal reports that Kraiburg TPE and SaarGummi have developed a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) material for automotive sealing systems containing more than 50% recycled content, reflecting continued interest in circular materials within the automotive supply chain.

The material is based on Kraiburg’s Thermolast K product range and incorporates both post-industrial and post-consumer recycled feedstocks. According to the companies, the new compound was designed to meet automotive requirements for quality, functionality, and manufacturability while increasing recycled material use.

Recycled materials in automotive rubber applications

Automotive manufacturers and suppliers are increasingly evaluating recycled polymers and elastomers as part of broader sustainability and resource efficiency strategies.

The newly developed TPE material is intended for sealing applications, where performance standards remain high due to requirements for durability, flexibility, and long-term environmental resistance.

Kraiburg said the material was developed so it can be integrated into existing production processes without significant changes in performance or processability.

This approach reflects a wider trend in recycling and material innovation, where manufacturers are seeking higher recycled content without compromising technical specifications.

Testing focused on performance consistency

Development of the recycled-content TPE began in 2023, with testing designed to compare the new formulation against conventional materials under similar operating conditions.

According to Kraiburg, early results indicate the recycled-content compound meets relevant performance requirements and can be reliably processed within established manufacturing systems.

The companies said the goal was to increase recycled raw material use while maintaining existing product standards, a key challenge in high-performance elastomer applications.

Broader implications for rubber recycling

While the material is not directly linked to tire recycling, developments in recycled elastomers are relevant to the broader rubber recycling market, where interest is growing in higher-value applications for recovered rubber and polymer materials.

End-of-life tires remain a major source of recoverable rubber through mechanical processing into crumb rubber, as well as advanced technologies such as devulcanization, which aims to restore rubber for reuse in new compounds, and pyrolysis, which produces recovered carbon black (rCB), tire-derived oil, and pyrolysis char.

As recycled material technologies continue to advance, new applications in automotive manufacturing may help expand markets for secondary raw materials and support circular economy goals tied to sustainability and industrial recycling.

The collaboration between Kraiburg and SaarGummi highlights how recycled-content materials are increasingly being evaluated for technical applications where consistent performance remains essential.

To read the full article, please proceed to the European Rubber Journal.