Ineos Styrolution’s Styroflex Proven to be Superior Cost-Effective Binder For Bio-Based Products

February 21, 2023

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, announced that their Styroflex^® SBC product is a superior, cost-effective binder for bio-based products such as cork. The new solution is a cork-Styroflex®-compound requiring no further additives or additional binders. It is expected to be a cost-effective and fully recyclable alternative to commonly used Polyurethane based binders.

In 2020, INEOS Styrolution developed the idea of binding biomass like cork granules with Styroflex, a unique styrene-based material with a very high flow at compounding temperatures above 150°C. Two years later, the company began to explore if Styroflex can indeed act as a binder for cork granules. Ultimately, a solution was found with the help of a ring extruder.

Styroflex is a styrene-butadiene block copolymer (SBC) with the properties of a thermoplastic elastomer (S-TPE) that is suitable for extrusion (including both blown and cast film) and injection molding. The product demonstrates high resiliency, toughness, optical clarity and process stability. In film applications, Styroflex provides excellent stretch recovery, puncture resistance, superior transparency as well as high oxygen and moisture permeability. Key applications for Styroflex include medical tubes, stretch hoods, impact-modified compounds and flexible films.

Styroflex is currently cleared for a range of food contact applications, however, further testing is being planned for the cork binder application to ensure all food safety requirements are met.

Stefan Meier, Business Development Manager at INEOS Styrolution, stated: “The amazing properties of Styroflex make it the material of choice for a very broad range of applications. I look forward to popping a Styroflex cork on a lovely bottle of wine in the future.”

About INEOS Styrolution

INEOS Styrolution is the leading global styrenics supplier, with a focus on styrene monomer, polystyrene, ABS Standard and styrenic specialties. With world-class production facilities and more than 90 years of experience, INEOS Styrolution helps its customers succeed by offering solutions, designed to give them a competitive edge in their markets. At the same time, these innovative and sustainable best-in-class solutions help make the circular economy for styrenics a reality. The company provides styrenic applications for many everyday products across a broad range of industries, including automotive, electronics, household, construction, healthcare, packaging and toys/sports/leisure. In 2021, sales were at 6 billion euros. INEOS Styrolution employs approximately 3,100 people and operates 16 production sites in nine countries.

More information: www.ineos-styrolution.com