Compounding as market niche

Having been in the field of plastic materials production for more than 15 years, the decision of Phon Tech General Manager Tony Lin to set up the company in 2005 was not an easy one. The road to success, however, has been meaningful as it enabled the company to produce various interesting materials for a diverse range of applications. Nowadays, Phon Tech offers companies around the world with high-end thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) and the TPE compounding solutions it provides enable customers to meet specific purposes. Exports have expanded that the company is now well known in India and even in South America.

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), also known as thermoplastic rubber (TPR) are high molecule materials which contain features of vulcanised rubber at normal temperature and plastics when heated. It means that once TPE compounds are formed, they can be heated and reformed repeatedly. The ability of TPEs to process like thermoplastics and imitate the performance and feel of thermoset rubbers has made them stars among plastic materials over a long time.

Phon Tech’s ability as a TPE compounders has enabled it to meet the TPE compounds needs of both business and industrial purposes while also responding to environmental concerns. Phon Tech productshave been certified by SGS to RoHS and are free of PAHS and phthalate. Further, the products also pass the EU directive 2003/53/EC restriction that implicates less than 0.1% nonylphenol by mass.

Customised requirements met
Speedier processing and lower scrap rates have earned TPEs market niches that continues to expand in consumer, medical, automotive, constructions and buildings, and electronics. “Through customised design, where actual requirements are met, we can demonstrate various feel, performance, colour and as well reduce the system cost,” according to Mr. Lin. Advantages over synthetic rubber such as recyclability, greater ease of processing and design flexibility are likely to ensure the continued penetration of TPEs in various applications.

The TPE compounds manufactured by Phon Tech are sold under the trademark Phoenix?. It is fabricated by the highly praised underwater pelletiser system. Phoenix? falls in the category of Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC). “Phoenix is a fully saturated styrene block copolymer developed by our company. It contains features of vulcanised rubber at normal temperature and plastics when heated, which means that once when they are formed, they can be heated and reformed repeatedly. This characteristic permits easy processing and recycling. It is capable of undergoing standard plastic processing procedures such as injection, extrusion, and blow moulding,” according to Mr. Lin. The product can reduce cycle time and raise efficiency during mass production. Besides, Phoenix is excellent in brittle temperature (-50 to -60°C) and lightweight, making it widely welcomed in many fields. Further, it is non-toxic, odourless, soft, anti-slip, aside from being totally recyclable.

For Phoenix transparent grade, the applications include medical appliances, general appliances, stationery, and sports- related fields since material in this grade is elastic, RoHS compliant, FDA conformed, and extra soft. It can be applied to insoles,medical tubes, pen grips, toothbrush grips, rehabilitation balls, and medical mats. For Phoenix translucent grade, the applications include medical appliances, sports items, general appliances, automotive industry, stationery, and tools because it is scratch-resistant and bonds with polypropylene (PP). As a result, it iAir Max