Having spent over a decade in the materials industry, collaborating with manufacturers, product designers, and engineers in sectors like consumer goods, medical devices, and automotive, I’ve seen how small details like color can make a big difference in a product’s success. One question that frequently comes up, especially when working with Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), is: […]

As someone who’s been knee-deep in the materials industry for over a decade, working with manufacturers, designers, and engineers across sectors like automotive, medical, and consumer goods, I’ve seen firsthand how choosing the right material can make or break a project. One question that pops up repeatedly is: What’s the difference between TPE and TPU?

For the past 15 years, I’ve been immersed in the world of polymers, working alongside manufacturers, designers, and engineers to bring products to life using Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR). This versatile material, with its unique blend of rubbery flexibility and plastic-like processability, has become a go-to choice across industries. From the soles of your favorite sneakers

Having worked in the plastics and elastomer industry for over 17 years, I’ve spent countless hours helping manufacturers, designers, and end-users navigate the quirks of Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR). From shoe soles to medical grips, TPR’s flexibility and affordability make it a favorite across industries. But one concern I hear often, especially from those making consumer-facing

As someone who’s been immersed in the plastics and elastomer industry for over 15 years, I’ve spent countless hours on factory floors, troubleshooting production issues and helping manufacturers optimize their processes for Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR). One question that pops up frequently, especially among those new to working with TPR, is how long raw TPR material

Having spent over a decade in the materials and manufacturing industry, I’ve worked closely with factories, recyclers, and product designers who deal with Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) daily. TPR, with its unique blend of rubber-like elasticity and plastic-like processability, is a star in applications like shoe soles, automotive parts, and consumer goods. But what happens when

As someone who’s been in the footwear industry for over 15 years, working with manufacturers, retailers, and designers, I’ve seen firsthand how Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) soles have become a staple in everything from casual sneakers to work boots. TPR’s blend of flexibility, affordability, and durability makes it a popular choice, but one question I hear

Having spent nearly two decades in the footwear and materials processing industry, I’ve worked with countless manufacturers, from small workshops to global brands, helping them optimize their use of Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) and its treatment agents. One question that comes up repeatedly is how long a TPR treatment agent can maintain its effectiveness, especially when

After spending more than a decade in the plastics industry, working on everything from consumer electronics to automotive components, I’ve encountered a wide range of challenges in TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) overmolding. One issue that keeps cropping up, especially in high-volume production, is material sticking to the sprue—that frustrating moment when the TPE clings to the

Having spent over a decade in the plastics industry, working on everything from medical tubing to automotive seals, I’ve often been asked to clarify the differences between TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). These two materials can seem confusingly similar at first glance—both are flexible, durable, and widely used in similar applications. Yet, mistaking