GLS Corporation, recently acquired by PolyOne Corporation, and a global leader in the manufacture of high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), has introduced OnFlex-S HF TPE-S compounds, a new family of halogen-free, flame-retardant thermoplastic elastomer materials that can help customers meet current and upcoming environmental regulations.

Using these new OnFlex TPEs – featuring a unique, patent-pending formulation – customers can easily upgrade from conventional, halogenated flame-retardant TPEs without retooling or sacrificing performance, the company said.
GLS Corporation was recently acquired by PolyOne Corporation. GLS’ new OnFlex-S HF compounds, together with PolyOne’s low-smoke, ‘free of halogen’ (LSFOH) family of compounds for wire and cable applications, demonstrate the companies’ increased focus on new technologies that enable customers to comply with increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.
“Although halogen-free flame retardance is not universally mandated, PolyOne and GLS are taking the lead in creating new materials that help our customers stay ahead of regulatory trends,” said Walter Ripple, senior director, global sales and marketing for GLS. “By replacing conventional TPEs with our new OnFlex-S grades, customers can gain a competitive advantage by demonstrating and marketing their compliance with upcoming requirements in the marketplace.”
Regulations, including the European Union’s Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, are limiting the use of brominated and chlorinated additives commonly used to provide flame retardance in electrical/electronic applications.
“Creating a halogen-free TPE has been a big challenge because alternative flame-retardant additives can impact the pliability and softness properties of TPEs,” said Manfred Taedcke, TPE market manager, Europe, for PolyOne Corp.
“However, our market-leading development resources and expertise enabled us to engineer the OnFlex-S HF grades while preserving all the desirable performance properties of this breakthrough TPE series.”
The OnFlex-S HF grades are based on styrene-ethylene butylene-styrene (SEBS) technology. These new TPEs, available in a wide range of hardnesses, provide excellent mechanical properties as well as flexibility in low-temperature environments. All grades meet UL 94 V-0 flammability standards. OnFlex-S TPE compounds are available pre-coloured or can be coloured during the final manufacturing process utilising PolyOne OnColour colour concentrates or other compatible colour concentrates.
The OnFlex-S HF grades are designed for injection and blow moulding, and in some cases, are also suitable for extrusion. Applications include seals for electrical junction boxes, and cable jacketing and insulation.