Covestro (Leverkusen / Germany; www.covestro.com) and Teknor Apex (Pawtucket, Rhode Island / USA; www.teknorapex.com) have signed an agreement to cooperate on compounding thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). Thorsten Dreier, head of Covestro’s TPU business, said the partners want to develop customised products to grow together with both existing and new customers. Jointly developed products will be marketed as part of Covestro’s “Desmoflex” brand.

Formulating and compounding steps can add value to the neat resin, for example, enhancing flame retardancy, adhesion, appearance and haptics. TPU is used in various industries, including automotive, sports, IT and electronics, among others. The PU’s properties can be customised to suit requirements, such as soft or hard, elastic or stiff, although all products will have high abrasion and resistance to wear, chemicals and weather.

Covestro has been producing pure TPU – its “Desmopan” brand – for years. Compounding enables the company to significantly expand the spectrum of attainable characteristics.