Monprene CP‑16500 Series: Sustainable TPEs for Durable Pet Toys

Teknor Apex introduces the Monprene CP‑16500 series—an innovative family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) engineered for the pet‑toy market. These materials offer a durable, sustainable alternative to traditional thermoset rubber, featuring a Shore A hardness range of 25 to 65 and a spectrum of visual finishes.

The series is available in clear, translucent, and opaque grades, each offered in low, medium, and high gloss. All grades exhibit excellent colorability and are highly moldable, making them ideal for both general‑purpose and specialty applications that demand superior puncture and tear resistance—perfect for rigorous dog‑chew toys.

To benchmark durability, Teknor Apex developed a “bite resistance” laboratory test that simulates the forceful action of a dog biting a toy. Based on ASTM F1306 for flexible films, the test measures the puncture resistance of an injection‑molded specimen. A “Puncture Rating” (1–5) is assigned to each material, with 5 indicating the greatest resistance. The specialty Monprene grades exhibit considerably high bite resistance, as shown in the graph below.

General‑purpose grades deliver an excellent cost‑performance balance, while specialty grades provide outstanding resistance to puncture, tear, and tear‑propagation. All Monprene TPEs flow smoothly during molding, and Teknor Apex can collaborate with manufacturers to tailor a custom solution when unique specifications are required.

The Monprene CP‑16500 series is formulated with FDA‑listed ingredients and is free of PVC, BPA, latex, phthalates, metals, REACH SVHC, and Proposition 65 substances. These grades also meet the safety standards for children’s toys, including CPSIA, EN 71, and ASTM F963.

Monprene is recyclable, offering a sustainable alternative to thermoset rubber dog toys. Scrap recovered at any stage of manufacturing can be re‑introduced into the process or used to produce new parts. Additionally, used chew toys can be shredded and recycled into new products.

Made in the USA, the Monprene CP‑16500 Series is produced in ISO‑9001 certified facilities across the United States, with additional manufacturing sites in Singapore and Germany to serve local markets—all under strict formulation control and traceability.