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Thermoplastic polyolefin elastomers (TPOs) are two-component elastomer systems
consisting of an elastomer (such as ethylene-propylene-diene monomer or EPDM)
finely dispersed in a thermoplastic polyolefin (such as polypropylene). The
thermoplastic polyolefin is usually the major component and is usually the
continuous phase. The properties of TPOs depend upon the types and amounts
of polymers used, the method by which they are combined and the use of additives
such as oils, fillers, antioxidants and colors. TPOs can be divided into three
generally recognized categories—physical blends, thermoplastic vulcanizates
(TPVs), and reactor-made products.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of TPOs:
Reactor-made products are expected to account for the majority of growth through
2011. The reactor-made products’ share of the world TPO market will increase
from 39% in 2006 to 41% in 2011. Blends will drop from 34% of the total TPO
market in 2006 to 32% in 2011. The share of vulcanizates will be steady at
27% in 2006 and 2011.
The following factors add elements of uncertainty to the consumption forecast:
(1) the health of the global automotive industry, which accounted for about
65% of global TPO consumption in 2006; (2) the continuing evolution of new
high-impact polypropylene polymers; (3) the market introduction of metallocene-based
ethylene copolymers with elastomeric properties such as ExxonMobil’s
Exact™ plastomers and Basell’s Adflex™ and Hifax™ resins
from the Catalloy process; and (4) the development of new elastomer products
that compete with olefinic TPVs.
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