Skip to main content

Advancing Circularity with Teknor Apex TPEs

Experience a trusted partnership in action with TER HELL at K Show 2025 - featuring sustainable alternatives to thermoset rubber, including innovative PCR-based solutions!

Connect with an Expert
Sustainable plastic with greenery on top

Sustainable Alternatives to Thermoset Rubber

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have replaced thermoset rubbers for decades, offering recyclability, design flexibility, and processing efficiency across many applications. For over forty years, Teknor Apex has supported this transition with high-performance alternatives to materials like silicone and EPDM that reduce waste and improve manufacturing outcomes. Today, sustainability is propelling the shift forward. In consumer products and packaging, TPEs offer not only recyclability and processing efficiency, but also safer formulations. In vehicles, the shift from EPDM to thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) supports weight reduction, recyclability, and modular design.

A proven partner in TPE solutions

While design flexibility and processing efficiency have always set TPEs apart from thermoset rubbers, sustainability is now a primary driver for material selection. TPEs support end-of-life recyclability, lower scrap rates, shorter molding cycles, and compatibility with multi-component designs, while eliminating the need for vulcanization.

Teknor Apex continues to expand its TPE portfolio to meet these demands. The Monprene® SP-14100 Series is a sustainable alternative to silicone rubber for consumer applications. It offers high-performance for grips, gaskets, seals, and wearable components where durability, softness, and elasticity are key.

 

 

Learn More About Sustainable Silicone Alternatives
The Advantages of TPEs as an Infographic

Circular innovation with PCR-enhanced TPEs

Teknor Apex offers solutions that incorporate post-consumer recycled (PCR) content — enabling even greater reductions in carbon footprints without compromising performance or processability.

Monprene® R6 CP-10100 Series
A lake in the shape of human footprints in the middle of a lush forest as a metaphor for the impact of human activity on the landscape and nature in general. 3d rendering.

The Monprene® R6 CP-10100 Series contains up to 60% PCR content and delivers a verified 36% carbon footprint reduction.

  • Maintains excellent translucency and color vibrancy

  • For grips, straps, gaskets, and soft-touch components in toys, sporting goods, and footwear

  • Compatible with injection molding and overmolding processes
Sarlink® Rx 4100B Series
Black thermoplastic elastomer pellets laid in a circular economy icon shape with the sarlink logo in the middle

For more demanding environments, the Sarlink® Rx 4100B Series of thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) offers up to 30% PCR content and a verified 25% carbon footprint reduction.

  • For automotive and industrial applications (window encapsulations, glass run channels, and hoses)
  • Combines strong chemical resistance, elastic recovery, and broad processing versatility
  • Can be processed via extrusion, injection molding, and co-molding/co-extrusion

Both series are backed by third-party verified product carbon footprint (PCF) data and support circular design and life cycle transparency.

Third-party validated sustainability

Teknor Apex holds third-party certifications and provides transparent data to help customers make informed material choices.

  • ISCC PLUS certification for sustainable sourcing practices
  • RecyClass certification for verified recycled content
  • Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data verified under the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol and ISO 14067, based on cradle-to-gate assessments

Featured Resources

TPEs with 60% Post-Consumer Recycled Content, Reducing Carbon Footprint by up to 36%

Monprene® R6 CP-10100 Series: High PCR Content, Yet Maintains Translucency for Vibrant Colors. Monprene® thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) have long enhanced the consumer experience with their performance, aesthetics, and feel
Thermoplastic Elastomers with 60% Recycled Content Post Consumer Recycle Monprene R6 TPEs with 60 PCR

Sarlink® TPV with up to 40% Recycled Content - Product Guide

The new Sarlink® TPVs (thermoplastic vulcanizates) contain up to 40% recycled content and are designed to help automotive OEMs achieve sustainability goals. These materials promote a circular economy while decreasing reliance on virgin petroleum-based plastic.
Sarlink TPV with up to 40% recycled content shown as black polymer pellets beside a car.

Teknor Apex Achieves RecyClass Recycled Content Certification for Products under the Sarlink® TPV and Monprene® TPE Brands

Teknor Apex, a global leader in the custom compounding of plastics, has achieved RecyClass Recycled Content Certification, which certifies the company’s thermoplastic elastomer products that contain recycled content.
A lake in the shape of a recycling sign in the middle of untouched nature. An ecological metaphor for ecological waste management and a sustainable and economical lifestyle. 3d rendering.

Sarlink® TPV: The Optimal Choice for EV Coolant Hoses

Discover Sarlink® Thermoplastic Vulcanizates (TPV), the innovative, durable and sustainable solution for EV coolant hoses.
E-mobility, electric car charging battery. 3d rendering

Sarlink® TPV vs EPDM

Need guidance switching from EPDM to TPV? For decades we've been helping automotive sealing manufacturers convert EPDM profiles to TPV, and we've condensed this knowledge into a quick reference guide to help you make more informed decisions.

Sustainable TPE Solutions

At Teknor Apex, we take a holistic approach to sustainability that enables our customers to meet their individual and varied sustainability goals.
Sustainable Solutions TPEs Feature
Ready to Get Started?

Need a recommendation?

We're here to help. Tell us a bit about your needs and a friendly expert will reach out to discuss personalized recommendations.

Learn More

Request an SDS

Get the safety information you need easily. All our products have Safety Data Sheets (SDS) available. Simply fill out our quick form to request an SDS for any product.

Request a SDS