TPE / TPU (thermoplastic elastomers)

Thermoplastic elastomers behave like rubber but process like plastic — no vulcanisation, fully remeltable, and therefore recyclable in a way thermoset rubber never is. The family spans TPO/TPV (olefin-based: automotive bumpers, seals), styrenic TPE-S (grips, soft-touch overmoulds) and TPU (polyurethane-based: phone cases, footwear soles, cables, films — the toughest of the group).

Recycling value depends entirely on identification: an unmarked soft polymer could be any of these or a thermoset, and only the thermoplastics reprocess. Single-source post-industrial streams — moulding sprues, overmould offcuts, TPU film trim with a datasheet — trade well to compounders. Key parameters: chemistry (declared from the datasheet), hardness (Shore A/D), colour, source. Classification follows the base chemistry (HS 3902 olefinic, 3909.50 polyurethanes). Enquiry-led, sample first.