Why Dryflex TPE from Hexpol quietly shapes demanding B2B products

Reviewed: ad hoc news B2B & Pro desk. Edited and checked on 2026-06-20, 03:42. Details in the imprint.

With Dryflex TPE, Hexpol turns anonymous plastic granules into the soft-touch surfaces that engineers want their customers to feel every day. The thermoplastic elastomer comes as small, matte pellets - but ends up as grippy handles, tight seals, and quiet, flexible housings.

What Dryflex TPE is made for

Dryflex TPE is a family of thermoplastic elastomer compounds that aim to combine rubber-like flexibility with the processing ease of standard plastics. Engineers can injection-mould or extrude it on conventional equipment instead of curing classic rubber in long cycles.

The material is used where parts should bend, seal, or feel soft without smelling strongly or aging as quickly as some traditional rubber grades. Think tool handles, cable grommets, appliance feet, automotive interior details, and all the quiet little parts that make products usable.

The feel in daily use

In the finished product, Dryflex TPE usually presents as a slightly satin, almost skin-like surface. It can be formulated very soft so the thumb sinks in a little when you press, or stiffer when a more robust, less sticky feel is required.

Designers can tune hardness, from gel-like to almost rigid, and pick colors that match brand schemes. That makes the material attractive for B2B clients who want a consistent tactile impression without having to switch to multiple exotic polymers.

Processing and design freedom

For the production floor, one of the main strengths is that Dryflex TPE runs on standard thermoplastic machinery rather than dedicated rubber presses. That simplifies planning and allows shorter cycle times, which is critical in high-volume B2B manufacturing.

The material can often be overmoulded onto compatible substrates, for example onto a stiff polypropylene or similar base. That way a single part combines a hard core and a soft grip, without additional assembly steps or adhesives that could fail over time.

Where it shines and where it can annoy

Dryflex TPE can cut weight compared with some traditional rubber constructions and enables thinner, more flexible geometries. For appliance makers, that means softer door seals, cable strain reliefs that bend without cracking, and feet that grip the countertop instead of skating away.

On the downside, TPEs in general can be more sensitive to certain oils, cleaning chemicals, or long-term heat than high-end rubbers. Engineers need to match the specific Dryflex grade to the environment; the wrong choice can lead to tacky surfaces or gradual hardening.

Sustainability and regulatory angles

Many buyers now look closely at recyclability and regulatory compliance for soft materials. Thermoplastic elastomers like Dryflex can be easier to recycle in principle than fully crosslinked rubber, because they soften again when heated instead of needing to be ground down.

At the same time, B2B customers in segments like toys, food-contact items, or medical devices often demand formulations that meet strict standards on plasticizers and additives. Hexpol typically offers different Dryflex variants to serve these more demanding niches.

How B2B customers feel the difference

On the shop floor, the material's behavior shows up in cycle time and scrap rates. A well-matched Dryflex TPE grade fills the tool cleanly, demoulds without tearing, and does not demand constant troubleshooting of temperature or pressure windows.

At the other end, product managers notice fewer customer complaints about sticky grips, cracked seals, or noise from vibrating housings. The elastomer works quietly in the background, which in this context is a compliment rather than a drawback.

Company context and stock angle

Dryflex TPE sits alongside other polymer solutions in Hexpol's portfolio, helping the group to serve industrial customers from automotive and construction to consumer goods and electronics with tailored elastomer compounds. The product family illustrates how Hexpol tries to move up the value chain from pure commodity materials.

Shares of Hexpol AB (SE0011624077) are listed on the Nasdaq Stockholm exchange in Sweden; the price on 2026-06-20 could not be reliably verified at the time of writing, so no specific quote is included.

This article was AI-assisted and editorially reviewed. Product information without guarantee; prices and availability may change at short notice. No investment advice, no buy or sell recommendation. Stock-market transactions involve risks up to total loss.