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Virgin SBS and recycled SBS: main applications and differences between thermoplastic elastomers named SBS and SEBS

21/06/2023
Thermoplastic elastomers
Thermoplastic elastomers play a key role in the manufacturing industry due to their unique properties and versatility. One of the most common types of thermoplastic elastomers is SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene), which can be purchased as a virgin material,frommanufacturer directly, or as recycled material.

In this article, we will explore the applications of virgin and recycled SBS and we will analyse the differences between SBS and SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene).

Virgin SBS is produced using virgin raw materials. It offers a combination of properties which are perfect for many industrial applications. Its flexibility, resilience and adhesion capabilities make it suitable for a wide range of industries.

The applications of virgin SBS are varied and range from sectors such as the footwear industry to the production of seals, floor coverings and more. 

For example, shoe soles made from SBS are flexible, wear-resistant and offer excellent grip, making them ideal for sports shoes, casual shoes and boots. Gaskets made from SBS are widely used to seal windows, doors and other openings, offering sealing and thermal insulation properties. 

In addition, SBS is used in the production of floor coverings requiring durability, flexibility and wear resistance.

The exclusive use of virgin SBS can have a significant environmental impact due to the consumption of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases during production. Here is when recycled SBS comes into play.

As we will see, recycled SBS can be used in many of the same applications as virgin SBS. 

In a few words , both virgin and recycled SBS have a wide range of industrial applications, but have significant differences in terms of environmental impact and resource availability.

Sbs vs Sebs: differences between elastomers blogpost


Recycled SBS: recycling process and applications

Recycled SBS is obtained through a recycling process of thermoplastic elastomers. This process involves SBS scrap pick up from industrial production or discarded products, and then a series of treatments to separate and purify the material.

After these phases, the recycled SBS material is transformed back into granules or pellets ready to be used in the production of new products. One of the main characteristics of recycled SBS is its contribution to the reduction of waste going to landfill and the more efficient use of resources.

SBS recycling and reusing reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused by  the production of virgin raw materials.

The applications of recycled SBS are extremely versatile and similar to those of virgin SBS. For example, in the footwear industry, soles made with recycled SBS offer performance comparable to the ones produced by virgin SBS, but with a lower environmental impact

Gaskets made from recycled SBS provide an effective seal and offer a sustainable solution for sealing windows, doors and other openings.

In the automotive industry, for example, recycled SBS can be used for the production of components such as bumpers, door sills, interior trim and gaskets. Its weather resistance and shock-absorbing capacity make it a material suitablefor automotive applications.

Other applications of recycled SBS include its use as a moulding material for the production of a wide range of items, such as toys, electronic components, household products and more.

In addition, recycled SBS can be used in the production of waterproof membranes used for roofing, decking, bath tubs and other construction applications.

Recycled SBS can often be obtained at a lower cost than virgin SBS, allowing companies to reduce production costs without compromising the quality of their products.

SBS vs SEBS: comparison with styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer

In addition to the comparison between virgin and recycled SBS, it is important to mention the differences between SBS and another related thermoplastic elastomer, SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene). 

Whereas SBS consists of a central butadiene polymer block with polystyrene blocks on both sides, SEBS has a central ethylene-butadiene polymer block with polystyrene blocks on both sides.

(a) Physical and mechanical properties: SEBS offers better resistance to weathering, such as sunlight, heat and oxygen.  

SEBS also hasagreater resistance to permanent deformation and abetter thermal stability. On the other hand, SBS may have greater flexibility at low temperatures than SEBS.

b) Applications: Due to its physical and mechanical properties, SEBS is often used in applications requiring increased weather resistance, such as window and door seals, sealing profiles, exterior automotive components and building products. On the other hand, SBS is used in a wide range of applications, including shoe soles, gaskets, floor coverings and more.

c) Compatibility with other resins: SEBS is known for its good compatibility with other thermoplastic resins, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polycarbonate (PC). 

This compatibility allows blends and composites with customized properties. SBS, on the other hand, has a higher compatibility with polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP).

d) Cost: From a cost perspective, SEBS tends to be more expensive than SBS. This is due to its higher performance and greater manufacturing complexity.

In conclusion, although SBS and SEBS are both styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, they have significant differences in properties and applications. The choice between the two will depend on specific application needs, required properties and cost constraints.

Gianeco as a supplier of recycled SBS for environmentally sustainable production

Gianeco is a reliable supplier of recycled SBS committed to the promotion of environmentally sustainable production. 

Gianeco stands out for 

a) Material quality: Gianeco offers quality recycled SBS. The material undergoes a selection, treatment and quality control process to guarantee reliable performances. 

b) Continuous supply: Gianeco guarantees a continuous supply of recycled SBS to meet the needs of companies and reduce the risk of interruptions in production.

c) Technical advice: Gianeco also provides technical support and personalized advice to companies interested in using recycled SBS

d) Economic advantages: Thanks to the availability of a material with a potentially lower price compared to virgin SBS, companies can reduce production costs without compromising the quality of their products. This can help improve companies' competitiveness and profitability.

Gianeco is involved in the production of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, including TPU. 

Contact us

email: info@gianeco.com
tel: +39 0119370420 





News

Virgin SBS and recycled SBS: main applications and differences between thermoplastic elastomers named SBS and SEBS

21/06/2023
Thermoplastic elastomers
Thermoplastic elastomers play a key role in the manufacturing industry due to their unique properties and versatility. One of the most common types of thermoplastic elastomers is SBS (styrene-butadiene-styrene), which can be purchased as a virgin material,frommanufacturer directly, or as recycled material.

In this article, we will explore the applications of virgin and recycled SBS and we will analyse the differences between SBS and SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene).

Virgin SBS is produced using virgin raw materials. It offers a combination of properties which are perfect for many industrial applications. Its flexibility, resilience and adhesion capabilities make it suitable for a wide range of industries.

The applications of virgin SBS are varied and range from sectors such as the footwear industry to the production of seals, floor coverings and more. 

For example, shoe soles made from SBS are flexible, wear-resistant and offer excellent grip, making them ideal for sports shoes, casual shoes and boots. Gaskets made from SBS are widely used to seal windows, doors and other openings, offering sealing and thermal insulation properties. 

In addition, SBS is used in the production of floor coverings requiring durability, flexibility and wear resistance.

The exclusive use of virgin SBS can have a significant environmental impact due to the consumption of natural resources and the emission of greenhouse gases during production. Here is when recycled SBS comes into play.

As we will see, recycled SBS can be used in many of the same applications as virgin SBS. 

In a few words , both virgin and recycled SBS have a wide range of industrial applications, but have significant differences in terms of environmental impact and resource availability.

Sbs vs Sebs: differences between elastomers blogpost


Recycled SBS: recycling process and applications

Recycled SBS is obtained through a recycling process of thermoplastic elastomers. This process involves SBS scrap pick up from industrial production or discarded products, and then a series of treatments to separate and purify the material.

After these phases, the recycled SBS material is transformed back into granules or pellets ready to be used in the production of new products. One of the main characteristics of recycled SBS is its contribution to the reduction of waste going to landfill and the more efficient use of resources.

SBS recycling and reusing reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions caused by  the production of virgin raw materials.

The applications of recycled SBS are extremely versatile and similar to those of virgin SBS. For example, in the footwear industry, soles made with recycled SBS offer performance comparable to the ones produced by virgin SBS, but with a lower environmental impact

Gaskets made from recycled SBS provide an effective seal and offer a sustainable solution for sealing windows, doors and other openings.

In the automotive industry, for example, recycled SBS can be used for the production of components such as bumpers, door sills, interior trim and gaskets. Its weather resistance and shock-absorbing capacity make it a material suitablefor automotive applications.

Other applications of recycled SBS include its use as a moulding material for the production of a wide range of items, such as toys, electronic components, household products and more.

In addition, recycled SBS can be used in the production of waterproof membranes used for roofing, decking, bath tubs and other construction applications.

Recycled SBS can often be obtained at a lower cost than virgin SBS, allowing companies to reduce production costs without compromising the quality of their products.

SBS vs SEBS: comparison with styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene thermoplastic elastomer

In addition to the comparison between virgin and recycled SBS, it is important to mention the differences between SBS and another related thermoplastic elastomer, SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butadiene-styrene). 

Whereas SBS consists of a central butadiene polymer block with polystyrene blocks on both sides, SEBS has a central ethylene-butadiene polymer block with polystyrene blocks on both sides.

(a) Physical and mechanical properties: SEBS offers better resistance to weathering, such as sunlight, heat and oxygen.  

SEBS also hasagreater resistance to permanent deformation and abetter thermal stability. On the other hand, SBS may have greater flexibility at low temperatures than SEBS.

b) Applications: Due to its physical and mechanical properties, SEBS is often used in applications requiring increased weather resistance, such as window and door seals, sealing profiles, exterior automotive components and building products. On the other hand, SBS is used in a wide range of applications, including shoe soles, gaskets, floor coverings and more.

c) Compatibility with other resins: SEBS is known for its good compatibility with other thermoplastic resins, such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polycarbonate (PC). 

This compatibility allows blends and composites with customized properties. SBS, on the other hand, has a higher compatibility with polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP).

d) Cost: From a cost perspective, SEBS tends to be more expensive than SBS. This is due to its higher performance and greater manufacturing complexity.

In conclusion, although SBS and SEBS are both styrene-based thermoplastic elastomers, they have significant differences in properties and applications. The choice between the two will depend on specific application needs, required properties and cost constraints.

Gianeco as a supplier of recycled SBS for environmentally sustainable production

Gianeco is a reliable supplier of recycled SBS committed to the promotion of environmentally sustainable production. 

Gianeco stands out for 

a) Material quality: Gianeco offers quality recycled SBS. The material undergoes a selection, treatment and quality control process to guarantee reliable performances. 

b) Continuous supply: Gianeco guarantees a continuous supply of recycled SBS to meet the needs of companies and reduce the risk of interruptions in production.

c) Technical advice: Gianeco also provides technical support and personalized advice to companies interested in using recycled SBS

d) Economic advantages: Thanks to the availability of a material with a potentially lower price compared to virgin SBS, companies can reduce production costs without compromising the quality of their products. This can help improve companies' competitiveness and profitability.

Gianeco is involved in the production of recycled thermoplastic elastomers, including TPU. 

Contact us

email: info@gianeco.com
tel: +39 0119370420 





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