JUYE Technology, a TPE thermoplastic elastomer manufacturer with 19 years of experience — provides you with comprehensive R&D and production solutions for TPE, TPR, TPV, TPV-SiR, TPU, and TPEE materials.
Since 2008, we have expanded into a broad range of industry application markets, providing rich solutions for various industries, with numerous application cases for your reference.
The processing and production technology of TPE materials is relatively complex, requiring strict control of the process parameters and operating conditions at each stage.
Juye Technology has gone through nearly 20 years of steady development and has established a comprehensive and thoughtful service support system.
Through the media information channel, you can get the latest updates on JUYE Technology Company's development and industry news in the first time. The FAQ and video center allow you to better explore the world of TPE materials.
JUYE Technology's sustainable development aims to carry out low-carbon production under the premise of protecting the Earth's green environment, participate in global economic cooperation and innovation practices, establish harmonious and symbiotic relationships with partners, contribute to the country, promote the development of the enterprise, and seek welfare for employees.
Dongguan JUYE Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. is a TPE thermoplastic elastomer company integrating research and development, production, and sales.
JUYE TPE toy figure solutions: soft rubber figures, squishy toys, and other phthalate-free soft-touch materials, certified to EN71/FDA, helping toy manufacturers achieve safe and compliant exports.
1. Application Background and Pain Points
The children's toy market is undergoing a "material revolution"—upgrading from "just fun" to "both fun and safe." In the field of TPE toy figurine applications, traditional soft plastic materials each have obvious shortcomings: PVC contains phthalate plasticizers (such as DEHP/DOP) and halogens, which have been explicitly restricted or banned by EU REACH and the US CPSIA; silicone is safe but costly, has long molding cycles, and is difficult to recycle; ordinary TPU is too hard and stiff, failing to provide that "squeeze and rebound" stress-relief feel. For toy manufacturers targeting the European and American markets, materials must simultaneously meet three conditions: comfortable to the touch (soft, elastic, skin-friendly), safe if chewed by children (non-toxic and odorless), and able to pass factory audit certifications (EN71). Modified TPE/TPR based on SEBS/SBS is precisely designed for this—plasticizer-free, halogen-free, recyclable, and with a feel close to silicone but at a lower cost.
Figure 1: Overview of TPE soft rubber toy figure applications (colorful figures / roto-cast toys / squeeze toys)
2. Material Solution Comparison: TPE / PVC / Silicone / TPU
Choosing a soft rubber material for toys is essentially about finding a balance among "feel, safety, environmental compliance, cost, and processing efficiency." The table below provides a horizontal comparison of the four common soft rubber materials from the dimensions most relevant to the toy industry:
Comparison Dimension | TPE (SEBS based) | PVC | Silicone | TPU |
Touch / Resilience | Soft and springy, quick rebound when squeezed | Hard, brittle at low temperatures | Softest but prone to dust adhesion | Firm and astringent, no decompression feeling |
Plasticizer / Safety | No phthalates, no plasticizers | Contains phthalates such as DEHP/DOP | Inert safety | Contains residual monomers |
Environmental / Certification | EN71/F963/CPSIA/PAHs Passed | Contains halogens, REACH restricted | Certifiable but difficult to recycle | Some contain halogens, difficult to recycle |
Two-color overmolding | ABS/PP/PC Strong adhesion, integrated molding | Requires primer, poor adhesion | Cannot directly overmold | Overmold adhesion is generally average |
Cost / Processing | Medium-low, efficient injection molding | Low but high compliance cost | High, slow vulcanization | Medium |
Figure 2: Performance comparison of four types of toy soft plastic materials: TPE / PVC / silicone / TPU (touch · safety · environmental protection · overmolding)
III. Recommended hardness ranges and key parameters
Juye launches SEBS-based TPR/TPE modified series for toy figurine applications, covering the full hardness range from ultra-soft to high-hardness according to component requirements:
·Ultra-soft segment (0–30 Shore A): Suitable for baby teethers, sensory soothing toys, and soft rubber pendants, with food-grade safety requirements, passing EN71-3 migration element tests and FDA food contact standards.
·Medium-soft range (40–60 Shore A): Ideal for squishies, stress-relief toys, soft vinyl figure bodies, and pet toys; the core source of the "squeeze and bounce back" feel.
·Medium-hard range (70–80 Shore A): For vinyl toy skeletons, building blocks, and fuse bead pellets, balancing structural strength with some flexibility, and resisting breakage on drops.
·High-hardness range (90 Shore A and above): For toy car tire treads, gear transmission parts, and structural component overmolding, offering wear and impact resistance.
·Environmental certification matrix: EN71-1 (mechanical/physical), EN71-2 (flammability), EN71-3 (19 migrating elements), ASTM F963 (US toy safety), CPSIA (phthalates ban), PAHs polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, RoHS, REACH full coverage, third-party test reports supported.
·Processing technology: primarily injection molding, supporting two-color/multi-color overmolding of ABS/HIPS/PP, also applicable for extrusion (seals/hoses), reference processing temperature 160–200°C.
Figure 3: TPE modified pellets and physical property parameter card (hardness range / environmental certification matrix / color options)
4. Advantages of Juye TPE Solution (each corresponds to a buyer pain point)
1.No phthalates, no plasticizers, directly hitting the key to export compliance:Free of phthalates such as DEHP/DOP, halogen-free, and fully certified to EN71-1/2/3, ASTM F963, CPSIA, and PAHs, easily passing European and American buyers' factory audits and customs spot checks.
2."Addictive to squeeze" stress-relief feel: SEBS-based TPE offers excellent elasticity and quick rebound, achieving a "slow rebound" effect in the 40–60A range, making it the best material choice for squeeze toys and stress-relief toys.
3.Safe enough to put in the mouth—baby-grade material standards: The 0–30A ultra-soft series passes the EN71-3 migration element test and food-contact grade standards, with no odor and no leaching, suitable for baby teethers and soothing toys.
4.Two-color overmolding with strong adhesion, eliminating the primer process: Strong adhesion with ABS/HIPS/PC/PP/PA overmolding without delamination, hard skeleton + soft touch layer completed in one injection molding, yield improved by 15–20%, overall cost lower than silicone solutions.
5.Recyclable + Cost Controllable: Thermoplastic material offcuts can be recycled and reused (thermoset silicone cannot), with unit cost only 50–70% of silicone of the same specification, offering outstanding cost performance.
V. Six Major Application Scenarios for TPE Toy Figures
6. Soft vinyl figures and roto-cast toys — TPE/TPR toy figures feature a matte skin-like surface, vibrant and rich colors, and do not break or crack when dropped, making them a popular material for blind box figures and IP derivatives. Corresponding keyword: TPE figure overmolding.
7. Squeeze toys and stress-relief toys — 40–60A medium-soft TPE provides a "press and slow rebound" stress-relief feel, no odor, no oil leakage, and does not crack or shed crumbs after repeated squeezing, making it the mainstream material for stress balls and slow-rebound animal shapes. Corresponding keyword: TPE soft rubber toy material.
8. Building blocks, fuse beads, and educational toys — 70–80A medium-hard TPE balances structural strength and drop resistance, with rounded edges that are safe for hands, rich colors that do not fade easily, suitable for early childhood educational product lines.
9. Toy wheels and tires — 90A+ high hardness TPE/TPR has excellent wear resistance and grip, good noise reduction and shock absorption, widely used for tire covers of remote control cars, scooters, and baby walkers.
10. Pet toys — TPE pet chew sticks, frisbees, and interactive balls are tear-resistant, non-toxic (safe even if chewed), and easy to clean, meeting both ROHS and SVHC standards.
11. Baby teethers and sensory soothing toys — 0–30A ultra-soft TPE passes EN71-3 and food-contact grade tests, no plasticizers, no odor, ideal material for teething rattles, cloth book touch pages, and sensory balls. Corresponding keywords: EN71 TPE toy material.
Figure4: TPE soft rubber figurine/squeeze toy is comfortable to hold, safe and odorless
VI. FAQ (Selection and Procurement Q&A)
Further Reading: (Add related in-site article links here, such as "Consumer Electronics TPE Application Cases", "Automotive Parts TPE Material Solutions", "TPE Two-Color Overmolding Process Details", etc.)
12.How to choose between TPE and PVC for toys?Choose PVC for low cost and casual play; for export to Europe and the US, and to pass EN71/CPSIA, TPE (phthalate-free and halogen-free) is a must. The compliance risks of PVC are rising sharply, and more and more brands are proactively switching to TPE.
13.Which certifications can TPE toy materials pass?Juye's TPE toy series has passed the full set of EN71-1/2/3, ASTM F963, CPSIA (phthalate ban), PAHs, RoHS, and REACH certifications, and corresponding test reports can be provided according to the target market.
14.Will TPE overmolded on ABS delaminate?By selecting a matching grade and controlling the injection molding process (temperature 170–190°C, proper venting), strong adhesion without delamination can be achieved. Juye provides supporting process parameters and mold trial support.
15.What are the MOQ and lead time?We support from small-batch sampling to mass production supply. Standard grades have a lead time of 7–15 days, subject to order quantity and customization requirements. Free samples for testing are welcome.
16.Can it be used as food-contact-grade baby teether material?Yes. The 0–30A ultra-soft series passes EN71-3 migration element testing and food contact standards, specifically designed for teethers and soothing toys.
7. CTA (Contact & Cooperation)
Dongguan Juye Plastic Technology Co., Ltd. specializes in the R&D and production of TPE/TPR/TPV/TPU/TPEE/TPV-SiR modified materials, with our own factory, controllable delivery time, and complete certifications (EN71 / RoHS / REACH / Halogen-free and Phthalate-free).
Whether you need soft rubber material for TPE toy figurines, squeeze toy stress relief material, baby teether-grade ultra-soft material, or wear-resistant material for toy tires, we can provide free samples and technical solution support.
👉 Contact Juye immediately: Get free samples and customized material solutions
Manager Zhang
Dongguan Juye Plastic Technology Co., Ltd.
Tel: +86 13827205072 (same as WhatsApp)
Email: juyetpe@juyetpe.com
Official website: www.juyetpe.com
Address: No. 2, Fourth Street, Shu Jiu Second Industrial Zone, Changping Town, Dongguan City, Guangdong Province, China
Professional technical engineer team-possible fastest response and support to client' application demand.
