Consumer Products

Appliances and Tools

Kraton G polymer-based compounds provide excellent soft touch feel for tool grips ranging from screwdrivers and pliers to hammers. The soft material also reduces vibration caused by many power tools. Compounds, such as grips on power tool handles, can be inserted or two-shot injection molded onto various substrates, including polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate, and nylon.

Overmold compounds can be used to create appliance control knobs and integrated seals and gaskets for multiple applications. Refrigerator door gaskets can benefit from excellent elastic properties and smooth surfaces. Our polymers can be used to make drain hoses for washing machines when combined with polypropylene. KratonTM D polymers can also be used for soft parts that do not require outdoor UV stability.

Consumer, Houseware, and Personal Care

Because of their soft-touch nature, Kraton polymers can be compounded and transformed into a wide range of consumer products. These compounds can be made in various hardness levels and hand feel. It can be over-molded onto polypropylene and injection molded into thin parts while providing excellent grip. It can also be brightly colored or made transparent.

Kraton polymer-based compounds are used in products such as garden tools and clogs, grips for pens, toothbrushes, razors, can openers, and cooking utensils. Due to their low-temperature flexibility, our compounds can also be made into ice cube trays. Further, it can also be over-molded onto plastic storage boxes to ensure a tight seal.

Sporting Goods & Leisure

Kraton-based compounds have a long history of use in sporting goods and leisure applications. Its soft touch, transparency, and elasticity are just some of the features provided to compounders, allowing them to satisfy market needs.

Bicycle manufacturers use Kraton G-based compounds to provide riders with gear shifters and grips that are soft to the touch yet have good outdoor weatherability. Kraton G compounds are used for pocket knife handles, golf club grips, and ski pole grips.

Kraton compounds are also used in water sports equipment. It helps create the flexibility and toughness of swim fins. ERS polymers allow the formulation of soft and transparent compounds suitable to make swim goggles, snorkel mouthpieces, and headbands without adding phthalates for an environmentally-friendly experience. They are also used in chest expander tubes where excellent strength and elasticity are vital. Other applications include shin guards, mouth guards, and gel cushions.

Toys

Kraton polymers are used in a variety of toy applications. Compounds based on our polymers provide an excellent price-performance balance, contain no phthalate plasticizers or natural rubber proteins, and comply with EN 71-3:2013 toy safety standards.

Kraton D polymers can be combined with high-impact polystyrene for Shore A 70 or higher hardness applications. These compounds are superior, safer PVC substitutes for small figure toys and can be painted to meet OEM specifications.

Kraton G compounds can withstand child toy bite tests. Polymers can be extended with large amounts of oil to produce soft compounds with Shore OO hardness. They also have a skin-like feel and can be made into masks for special movie effects. New developments also allow for the rotational molding of products.

Wire & Cable

Kraton polymers can be found in a variety of wire and cable products. Kraton G polymers can be formulated for use in flexible cords, industrial cords, primary automotive wires, control wires, booster cables, welding cables, molded plugs, and connectors, among other applications. Kraton FG polymers can be used to improve the compatibility of flame retardant fillers and polymer matrices.

Kraton polymer-based compounds can be relied on by wire and cable designers, application engineers, and processors to deliver:

• Excellent tensile strength and elongation
• Oil and abrasion resistance
• Cold temperature strength and impact resistance
• Rubber-like feel and appearance
• Lightweight
• Excellent colorability
• Good weatherability
• Good thermal aging
• Resistance to most acids and bases
• Flame retardant to V-0 rating

Solutions for Circular Economy

Kraton Polymers offer a holistic approach to product life cycle by enabling recyclable design, use of recycled and renewable materials, ability to reduce the use of fossil-based resources and lower carbon footprint.

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