Materials manufacturer Covestro and global plastics compounder Teknor Apex announced they will closely collaborate on compounding thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and have signed an agreement to this effect. TPU is an extremely versatile plastic, which Covestro has been producing in pure form for many years for use in various industry sectors.
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| Image: Prazis Images/Adobe Stock |
TPU, which is used in the automotive industry, sports and leisure products, medical technology, electronics, and other sectors, can be made with various properties ranging from soft to hard and elastic to stiff, depending on customer requirements. All TPU products share resistance to abrasion, wear, chemicals, and weather, said the companies in their joint release. The plastic granulate can processed into profiles, strips, hoses, fibers, or foams to meet specific requirements.
“We are happy to team up with such a competent and complementary partner for process TPU on a global scale,” said Dr. Torten Dreier, the new global head of the TPU business at Covestro. “Together with Teknor Apex, we want to develop customized products to grow together with our existing and new customers.”
Covestro reported sales of €12.4 billion in 2019, with business activities focused on the manufacturing of high-tech polymer materials and the development of innovative solutions for products used in many areas of daily life. Main industries served are the automotive, construction, wood processing and furniture, and electrical and electronics industries.
Sachin Sakhalkar, Vice President, TPE Division at Teknor Apex, commented, “We are excited to become Covestro’s preferred global compounding partner. The combination of Covestro’s expertise in TPU resin with Teknor Apex’s custom formulation and compounding capabilities provides a compelling value driver for our combined customers worldwide.”
