Trend of TPE elastomer replacing rubber in new energy electric vehicles

TPE elastomer ensures good thermoplastic rheology, is easy to mold and process, and can be shaped by injection molding, extrusion, calendering, and other methods, while also ensuring high elasticity at room temperature. It is suitable for producing seals, vibration dampers, protective panels for automotive industry equipment, as well as various special-purpose conduits and pipe fittings.

New energy electric vehicles include pure electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles. In recent years, the growth rate of the automotive market has slowed down significantly. However, under the slowdown of gasoline vehicle growth, new energy vehicles have risen rapidly. TPE materials are more suitable for the development of new energy vehicles. Whether it is the parts of the vehicle itself or auto accessories, the market share of TPE is gradually expanding. At present, China has become the world's largest producer and seller of new energy vehicles. National policies promote new energy vehicles to "trot all the way". In 2018, purchase subsidies continue for three years, the development of new energy vehicles is imperative. TPE industry enterprises should increase investment in scientific research to seize new areas in the plastics market.

With the continuous development and maturity of TPE technology, the application of TPE materials in the automotive industry has also been widely popularized. The main consumer market of TPE is the automotive industry. TPE can be used in many places on cars, such as window sealing strips, dashboards, door handles, etc. Automotive sealing strips are the largest product among TPE products. Previously, automotive sealing strips were mainly made of rubber, but now TPE sealing strip materials, with their excellent resistance to flex fatigue, high compression set resistance, high temperature resistance, and low specific gravity, have captured a certain share in the mid-to-high-end automotive market. Their low specific gravity greatly reduces vehicle energy consumption and improves vehicle power.

Although the proportion of thermoplastic elastomers replacing rubber in automobiles is not high at this stage, the replacement speed may accelerate in the next few years. The usage of TPE materials in the automotive field is increasing day by day. Replacing EPDM is an inevitable trend. TPE materials will replace traditional thermosetting rubber at an annual growth rate of 18-25%.