Thermoplastic Styrenic Block Copolymers (TPS) for Versatile, High-Performance Applications

Teknor Apex thermoplastic styrenic block copolymers (TPS) deliver a unique balance of flexibility, durability, and aesthetics. From crystal-clear to opaque, soft gel to high-Shore-D hardness, and silky to grippy textures, TPS compounds are highly customizable to meet unique needs across industries. As sustainable alternatives to silicone rubber, our TPS elastomers provide recyclable solutions for diverse applications. From consumer products such as grips and toys to medical tubing to wire & cable insulation, and automotive interiors, Teknor Apex TPS solutions combine design flexibility, recyclability, and performance to meet diverse requirements.

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TPS Product Portfolio

Monprene® Thermoplastic Elastomers

Elevate your product with Monprene® TPEs. Customizable for a variety of aesthetics and haptics, Monprene® TPEs add cushioning, protection, or a soft-touch grip to everyday consumer products, seamlessly integrating with rigid plastics for superior adhesion in handles, seals, grips, and anti-slip surfaces. Choose from one of our existing grades born of industry requirements or contact us to develop a customized solution.

Medalist® Medical Grade Elastomers

Medical device manufacturers increasingly turn to TPEs for applications that require flexibility or rubber-like elasticity, and they turn to Teknor Apex to deliver high quality, regulatory-compliant TPEs with a proven track record. Medalist® medical-grade elastomers offer unmatched quality and regulatory compliance, featuring strict formulation control with only FDA-listed ingredients, biocompatibility (per ISO 10993-5), and compliance to REACH SVHC, Proposition 65, CONEG and RoHS. These materials are manufactured in multiple ISO-13485 certified facilities ensuring security of supply.

Healthcare

Elexar® TPEs for Electrical Applications

When designing cables and other electrical components for low temperatures or harsh environments, Elexar® is the premier choice. In addition to outstanding electrical properties, Elexar® thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are UV stable, abrasion and chemical-resistant, and maintain their flexibility even at extreme temperatures. Elexar® TPEs are available with or without flame retardants, are UL yellow card listed, and are RoHS and REACH SVHC compliant.

Sarlink® TPS Solutions for Automotive

Expanding the Sarlink® portfolio to include TPS compounds introduces a new level of compounding versatility for the automotive industry, addressing the need for more customized solutions. Available in a wide hardness range (30A to 50D), these easily colored TPE materials meet diverse automotive interior requirements, with specialty grades offering superior adhesion to engineering plastics like PC, ABS, and PA.

Automotive

Applications of Thermoplastic Styrenic Block Copolymers (TPS)

Consumer Products, Food Contact & Appliances

Medical Tubing & Healthcare Components

Electrical Insulation & Wire & Cable Solutions

Automotive Interiors, Seals & Gaskets

Food & Beverage Packaging

Industrial Seals & Gaskets

Why Choose Teknor Apex for TPS Materials?

At Teknor Apex, we deliver more than just thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) — we deliver confidence. With decades of experience, a global footprint, and a commitment to innovation, we are a trusted partner to OEMs, brand owners, and manufacturers worldwide.

Expertise in Custom Compounds
Every application is unique. That’s why our TPS portfolio goes beyond standard grades, offering custom formulations engineered to meet precise performance, regulatory, and processing requirements. From soft-touch consumer goods to high-performance automotive parts, we help customers achieve the right balance of functionality and cost efficiency.

Global Supply & Consistent Quality
With manufacturing and technical support facilities across North America, Europe, and Asia, Teknor Apex ensures consistent quality and reliable supply wherever our customers operate. Our global reach enables us to support multinational programs seamlessly while maintaining the same high standards across every region.

Innovation & Sustainability
We are advancing the future of materials with eco-conscious TPS solutions. From recyclable and lightweight alternatives to thermoset rubber, to the development of lower carbon footprint compounds incorporating recycled or bio-based content, Teknor Apex helps customers meet both performance and environmental goals.

Trusted Technical Partnership
Our value goes beyond the material. Customers choose Teknor Apex for our deep technical expertise, collaborative approach, and long-standing commitment to service. We work side-by-side with engineers and designers to accelerate development, troubleshoot challenges, and bring innovative products to market faster.

Frequently Asked Questions

TPS compounds—also known as styrenic block copolymers (SBCs)—combine soft-touch flexibility with thermoplastic processability, making them an ideal choice for consumer, medical, and industrial applications. They deliver excellent clarity, colorability, elasticity, and adhesion to rigid substrates while offering cost-effective performance compared to other TPEs. Because TPS materials require no vulcanization, they support faster cycle times, reduced waste, and easy recycling, giving manufacturers the advantages of both elastomeric feel and thermoplastic efficiency.

Teknor Apex TPS compounds serve a wide range of industries including consumer goods, healthcare, industrial, automotive, and wire & cable. In consumer products, they provide soft-touch grips, seals, and overmolded components. In healthcare, our Medalist® TPS grades meet strict regulatory standards for biocompatibility and sterilization compatibility. Elexar® materials serve demanding electrical and industrial markets, while Monprene® TPS compounds are found in everything from power tools and appliances to packaging and sports equipment. Across all sectors, Teknor Apex delivers consistent quality, color control, and global support.

Compared to other TPE families, TPS compounds offer superior clarity, softness, and bonding ability to polar or non-polar substrates, making them ideal for overmolding and aesthetic applications. They generally process at lower temperatures and are easier to color or recycle than TPV, TPU, or COPE materials. While TPS compounds are less suited to high-heat or chemical-intensive environments, they provide an excellent balance of comfort, flexibility, and cost-efficiency for consumer, healthcare, and light industrial uses. Teknor Apex offers TPS grades specifically designed to bridge these performance and processing trade-offs.

Yes. Teknor Apex TPS materials are fully recyclable—both in-process and at end of life—thanks to their thermoplastic structure. Unlike thermoset rubbers, TPS compounds can be re-melted and reprocessed without major property loss. Teknor Apex also offers sustainable Monprene® TPS grades that incorporate post-industrial or post-consumer recycled content and bio-based feedstocks, helping manufacturers reduce carbon footprint and meet sustainability targets. Our ongoing product development emphasizes circularity, waste reduction, and responsible material sourcing across all TPS brands.

Monprene® TPS: Consumer, industrial, and appliance grips, seals, and overmolds requiring soft-touch feel and easy processing.
Medalist® TPS: Healthcare and medical devices, including tubing, grips, and housings—formulated for biocompatibility and regulatory compliance.
Elexar® TPS: Electrical and electronic components, connectors, and wire & cable applications demanding flexibility and insulation performance.
Sarlink® TPS: Selected automotive and building & construction uses requiring soft-touch surfaces or lightweight seals.

Each brand is engineered for specific end-use performance and supported by global manufacturing and technical expertise.

Absolutely. Teknor Apex develops custom TPS formulations to meet unique performance, processing, and aesthetic goals. We can tailor hardness, elasticity, color, bonding performance, regulatory compliance, and haptics to suit your exact application. Whether you need a soft-touch overmold for a consumer device, a medical-grade compound with USP Class VI compliance, or a TPS optimized for adhesion or clarity, our R&D and technical teams provide collaborative development, prototyping, and testing to ensure successful performance in production.

SBC stands for styrenic block copolymer, the broader family that includes multiple chemistries—most commonly SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene) and SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene). The key difference lies in hydrogenation: SBS is an unhydrogenated copolymer, offering high softness but limited weather and heat resistance, while SEBS (a hydrogenated form) provides enhanced UV, thermal, and oxidation stability. Teknor Apex primarily uses SEBS-based TPS for their improved durability, color stability, and long-term performance across consumer, medical, and industrial applications.