Bio-based TPE The global push for circular economies and carbon neutrality has accelerated the transition from fossil-derived polymers to bio-based alternatives. Among these innovations, bio-based thermoplastic elastomers (Bio-TPE) emerge as a critical enabler, merging the elasticity of traditional rubbers with the recyclability of thermoplastics. Unlike petroleum-based TPEs, which rely on non-renewable resources and generate persistent microplastics, Bio-TPEs are synthesized from renewable feedstocks such as plant oils, starches, and agricultural waste. This shift reduces reliance on finite resources, cuts greenhouse gas emissions by 40–60%, and aligns with global sustainability frameworks like the Paris Agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Scientific advancements have overcome early limitations in Bio-TPE performance. For instance, δ-valerolactone (δVL)-based polyester tri-block copolymers (tri-BCPs) now exhibit 2.5–3.8 times higher toughness than commercial polyolefin-based TPEs while maintaining 100% chemical recyclability. These materials self-assemble into nanoscale cylindrical structures during crystallization, enhancing mechanical properties without compromising sustainability. Such breakthroughs position Bio-TPEs as viable alternatives for high-performance applications, from automotive components to biomedical devices.
The structural versatility of Bio-TPEs stems from their block copolymer architecture, where hard (crystalline) and soft (amorphous) segments are chemically linked. This design enables tunable properties, such as elasticity, thermal stability, and chemical resistance, by adjusting monomer ratios and processing conditions.
Bio-TPEs leverage bio-derived monomers to replace petroleum-based counterparts:
Traditional TPEs suffer from irreversible crosslinking during processing, limiting their recyclability. Bio-TPEs address this through dynamic vulcanization, where crosslinks are formed via reversible covalent bonds (e.g., disulfide or Diels-Alder linkages). This allows materials to be reprocessed multiple times without performance degradation, enabling closed-loop recycling systems. For example, δVL-based tri-BCPs undergo 100% depolymerization into monomers under mild conditions, supporting infinite recycling cycles.
Early Bio-TPEs faced criticism for inferior strength compared to petroleum-based versions. However, recent formulations have shattered these barriers:
Bio-TPEs exhibit remarkable stability under extreme conditions:
Life cycle analysis (LCA) confirms the ecological advantages of Bio-TPEs:
Bio-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) are a class of elastomers made from bio-based materials, which usually have the characteristics of elasticity, durability and renewability. The TPE materials we can provide have a bio-renewable content base ratio ranging from 22% to 75%, with different hardness levels, good performance retention, UV resistance and flame retardancy, which are comparable to traditional TPE.
Since its raw materials come from natural resources, it has reduced its dependence on non-renewable resources such as petroleum to a certain extent.
Bio-based materials generally have a lower carbon footprint, and their biodegradability makes them easier to handle after use, helping to reduce environmental pollution.
Bio-based elastomers can adjust their properties as needed to meet different application requirements, such as wear resistance, weather resistance, etc.
These materials are used in many fields, including medical devices, automotive industry, consumer products, and household products. With the advancement of technology, the research and development and application of bio-based elastomers are still expanding, and they may play a more important role in sustainable development in the future.
| Catalog Number | Product Name | Order | Quantity |
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| BT-7792 | TPE020-2516 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7793 | TPE020-2517 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7794 | TPE020-2518 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7795 | TPE020-2519 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7796 | TPE020-2520 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7797 | TPE020-2521 | Inquiry |
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| BT-7798 | TPE020-2522 | Inquiry |
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