Shin-Etsu Chemical Develops First Recyclable Thermoplastic Silicone, Paving the Way for Sustainable Material Innovation
Tokyo, Japan — Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Tokyo; President: Yasuhiko Saitoh) has announced a groundbreaking advancement in silicone materials with the development of a thermoplastic silicone that achieves true recyclability, a feat previously unattainable with conventional silicone rubber. This innovation marks a major milestone in the company’s Shin-Etsu Silicones Solution-Engineering™ initiative, which aims to deliver next-generation, sustainability-focused materials through advanced silicon chemistry.
Redefining Silicone Materials
Silicone products, widely used across industries such as electronics, healthcare, automotive, and consumer goods, are traditionally divided into two main categories: thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics.
- Thermoplastics are materials that soften and flow when heated and solidify again when cooled. This reversible process allows thermoplastics to be easily reshaped or recycled.
- Thermosetting plastics, in contrast, undergo a permanent chemical reaction when heated, forming a rigid, crosslinked structure that cannot be remelted or reshaped.
Conventional silicone rubber falls into the thermosetting category. Once cured, it cannot be melted down or reprocessed, which poses significant challenges for recycling and waste reduction.
To overcome these limitations, Shin-Etsu Chemical applied its deep expertise in polymer modification technology, cultivated through decades of research in silicon chemistry. The result is a thermoplastic silicone that not only retains the desirable features of silicone rubber—such as flexibility, softness, and temperature resistance—but also introduces recyclability and improved processing performance.
Key Features of the New Thermoplastic Silicone
Shin-Etsu Chemical’s new material exhibits several unique properties that set it apart from conventional silicone rubbers and other elastomers:
- Recyclable and Reprocessable
Thanks to its thermoplastic nature, the new silicone can be melted, reshaped, and reused multiple times without significant degradation in quality. This property enables closed-loop recycling, helping manufacturers reduce waste and production costs while promoting a more sustainable material lifecycle. - Exceptional Mechanical Balance
The material demonstrates high hardness (Shore A*1 80 or higher) and high elongation (elongation at break: 800% or higher)—a combination rarely achieved in traditional silicone rubbers. This unique balance of stiffness and stretchability allows for greater design flexibility in applications requiring both durability and elasticity. - Superior Transparency and Colorability
Unlike conventional silicone rubbers that incorporate inorganic fillers such as silica, Shin-Etsu’s thermoplastic silicone contains no inorganic powders. This results in excellent transparency and easier color adjustment, enabling vibrant and uniform coloration for consumer and industrial applications alike. - Outstanding Processability
The new silicone can be processed using standard plastic injection molding equipment, eliminating the need for specialized molding systems typically required for thermosetting materials. This improves manufacturing efficiency and opens the door for seamless integration into existing plastic production lines. - Solvent-Based Formulation for Coatings
The material can also be used in solvent-based formulations, making it suitable for coating applications. This versatility supports the creation of protective or decorative layers that maintain silicone’s characteristic performance while simplifying the coating process. - Soft, Pleasant Texture
Despite its recyclability and rigidity range, the new silicone maintains the distinctive soft and comfortable feel associated with traditional silicone materials. This tactile property makes it particularly suitable for products that come into direct contact with human skin.
(*1: Shore A is a standardized scale for measuring hardness in elastomeric materials.)
(2: The pleasant tactile quality refers to the soft and smooth “silicone touch” familiar in consumer products.)
Expanding Application Possibilities
With these advanced features, Shin-Etsu Chemical’s thermoplastic silicone opens up entirely new fields of application that were previously unattainable with conventional silicone rubbers.
Potential uses include:
- Wearable and mobile device components, such as flexible skins, grips, or protective covers that come into contact with skin.
- Sports and fitness equipment, where materials must balance strength, elasticity, and comfort.
- Medical and nursing care devices, where surface coatings or flexible components require both hygiene and a pleasant tactile experience.
- Industrial products, where recyclable and transparent silicone materials can reduce waste and improve production efficiency.
Moreover, because the new material can be tailored across a wide hardness range—from rubber-like elasticity to plastic-like rigidity—it offers a broad design spectrum for engineers and product developers. This flexibility allows manufacturers to optimize both performance and sustainability across diverse product categories.
Showcasing at PLASTIC JAPAN 2025
Shin-Etsu Chemical will introduce this innovative material to the public as a reference exhibit at the upcoming 14th PLASTIC JAPAN – High-Performance Plastics Expo, to be held at Makuhari Messe (Chiba City, Japan) from November 12 to 14, 2025. Visitors to the Shin-Etsu booth will be able to explore sample applications and discuss potential collaborative development opportunities.
This exhibition will serve as a platform for the company to demonstrate how its thermoplastic silicone aligns with global trends in sustainability, resource efficiency, and circular manufacturing.
Commitment to Sustainable Innovation
Shin-Etsu Chemical has long been recognized as a global leader in silicone chemistry, consistently developing high-performance materials that address both industrial needs and environmental challenges. The company’s latest innovation embodies its ongoing commitment to sustainability through science and engineering.
By expanding the boundaries of silicone functionality while integrating recyclability, Shin-Etsu Chemical is helping manufacturers transition toward more eco-friendly material ecosystems. The company aims to continue developing high-value-added silicone products that contribute not only to enhanced product performance but also to the creation of a sustainable society.
With the successful development of this recyclable thermoplastic silicone, Shin-Etsu Chemical has achieved a major leap forward in the evolution of silicon-based materials—merging technical excellence, environmental responsibility, and market adaptability into one breakthrough solution.
Source Link : https://www.shinetsu.co
