TPEs are only a small portion in all that, but they are innovative materials and therefore be-come part of the solution. Therefore innovating is necessary to ensure the stability and long-term growth of the industry.

The TPE industry has enjoyed steady, fairly-high growth for 30+ years based on favorable general properties (elastic and thermoplastic), relatively low cost of the major polymers used (polyolefins, styrene block copolymers, elastomers) and fabrication process advances (coextrusion, overmolding, foaming, adhesion, scratch/mar improvement).

Highway agencies have recognized the benefits of using modified asphalts to reduce the amount and severity of pavement distresses and to increase service life.

Thermoplastic Elastomers, or Thermoplastic Rubber compounds, as they're sometimes called, are a class of materials that behave a lot like rubber, but process like plastic.  TPEs consist of hard and soft phase systems in the form of blends, alloys, or copolymers.

The process of overmolding a soft thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) onto a rigid engineering thermoplastic (ETP) can sometimes be tricky; feel like an art, more than a science.

Modified bituminous roof membranes continue to be popular option for low-sloped roofs due to their proven performance. Historically these products have been torch-applied, mop-applied using hot asphalt (SBS only), or applied with solvent-based adhesives.

Pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) tape offers manufacturers in many markets a range of benefits. These include:Improved product durability;Reduced product weight;Lower production costs;Enhanced product aesthetics;Increased productivity.

Bitumen is a form of waterproofing and road building material that has been utilized in some form since ancient times. Despite an estimated 102 million tonnes of bitumen being used globally, the bitumen used in waterproofing is largely split between two types of ‘modified bitumen’: elastomeric SBS and plastomer APP.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives are divided into categories based on the chemical composition of the adhesive: Rubber-based and acrylic adhesives. The chemical makeup of the product is a major contributor to the performance of the product.

The Global Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) Market is expected to register an estimated CAGR of 3.91% over the forecast period 2018-2023. The major factors driving the growth of the market is rising demand from the adhesive & sealant industry.

Adhesion, or bondability, is key when discussing thermoplastic elastomer materials because they are often overmolded onto a rigid substrate.

one use for modified asphalt in roofing applications is in waterproofing underlayment. An underlayment is a layer of material placed between the roof deck and the exterior surfacing material (typically shingles, wood shake, metal, tile, slate or cap sheet). It is a critical, though often overlooked, component of any complete roofing system.