Cup holders in vehicle interiors provide practical benefits such as beverage stability, convenience, distraction reduction, organization, and comfort for both drivers and passengers.  Cup holders are designed to prevent cups, bottles, or other containers from tipping over or spilling, reducing the risk of spillage inside the vehicle. Furthermore, they provide a comfortable and easily accessible location for beverages, allowing drivers to stay hydrated or enjoy their drinks while remaining focused on the road. 

Materials used for cup holders for car interiors vary depending on the design, manufacturer, and specific vehicle model, but also require durable, versatile, functional, and cost-effective. 

Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are an appropriate material solution for cup holder applications because they provide a non-slip surface and improved grip, preventing cups or bottles from slipping or tipping over while the vehicle is in motion.

KRAIBURG TPE, a global provider of thermoplastic elastomer materials and bespoke solutions for a wide range of industries, offers the THERMOLAST® K AD1/AP series and FG/SF/AP series of compounds for automotive interior applications such as cup holders. 

Both series of compounds are designed for the Asia Pacific market and feature UV resistance, low VOC content, durability, and a non-slip surface.

Aesthetic, soft-touch advantage with AD1/AP series

The THERMOLAST® K AD1/AP series from KRAIBURG TPE produces a soft-touch surface as well as a consistent and aesthetic appearance, and imparts an adequate, comfortable grip when used for the cup holder's liner, frame, and ring holder.

The series features automotive interior UV resistance characteristics and meets color-fastness requirements to ensure colors will not fade easily. 

Additionally, the series can be molded into a variety of shapes using the injection molding process and has high adhesion with polar thermoplastics including ABS, PC, and PC/ABS.

Excellent surface, anti-slip grip with FG/SF/AP series

KRAIBURG TPE’s THERMOLAST® K FG/SF/AP series provides good surface appearance and is therefore suitable for rings of cup holders as well as other vehicle accessories such as inlay mats, liners and frames. 

In addition, the series provides good surface mapping for processes that require complex molding designs. It also allows for high adhesion to PP through the injection molding process, for manufacturers to create a variety of designs and aesthetic features.

Other advantages of choosing the series for automotive interior applications include anti-slip grip properties, in-process recycling, low density, and optimum flow qualities.  

Sustainability successes of our TPEs

Besides vehicle cup holders application, KRAIBURG TPE’s recent sustainability innovations include a series of material solutions specially developed for automotive, consumer, consumer electronics, wearables and industry applications. Comprising up to 48% post-consumer recycled (PCR) and 50% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content, the material complies with multiple global standards such as FDA raw material compliance, RoHS and REACH SVHC requirements. KRAIBURG TPE also provides customers with product carbon footprint values.

Are you looking for a sustainable TPE solution? Talk to us! 

Our experts are happy to answer any questions you have, as well as to offer the right solution for your application.