AudiaFlex: Pioneering Sustainable Thermoplastic Elastomers for High‑Performance Applications

Audia Elastomers of Washington, Pennsylvania, has introduced the AudiaFlex family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), positioning it as one of the earliest commercial portfolios of truly sustainable TPEs that meet the evolving demands of brand owners and discerning consumers.

The AudiaFlex line offers fully customizable grades produced from a blend of post‑consumer, post‑industrial, bio‑based, and marine‑derived feedstocks. According to Vice President of Sales & Marketing Frank Axelrod, the product line reflects Audia’s unwavering commitment to sustainability and directly responds to market forces—single‑use plastic legislation, rising consumer demand for eco‑friendly products, and brand owners’ five‑year sustainability targets.

AudiaFlex elastomers match the performance of conventional virgin TPEs, delivering comparable haptics, color, adhesion, and durometer. They are engineered for high‑performance applications across personal care, household goods, consumer electronics, automotive, and toy markets. Production takes place at Audia’s facilities in Lafayette, Georgia, and Shenzhen, China.

The portfolio includes four distinct lines:

• OP Line – Marine waste‑based TPEs with up to 45 % marine waste and 70 % total recycled content, ranging from 20 to 95 Shore A hardness. These materials are sourced from beach clean‑up debris, commercial fishing gear, and ocean‑bound plastics.
• PC Line – Post‑consumer recyclate (PCR) TPEs featuring 5–50 % PCR content, available from 20 to 95 Shore A. Each grade is backed by a defined supply chain and consistent color profile (e.g., yogurt‑cup plastic) with FDA‑compliant certification.
• PI Line – Post‑industrial recyclate (PIR) TPEs, customizable with 5–70 % PIR content and hardness options from 20 to 95 Shore A, allowing customers to incorporate their own circular feedstocks.
• Bio Line – Bio‑based TPEs containing 5–90 % renewable content per ASTM D6866. Formulations are available for oxo‑degradable and compostable applications across the same hardness spectrum.

By combining rigorous material science with a transparent supply chain, AudiaFlex delivers a sustainable alternative without compromising on performance or reliability.