Summary
- Profile Type
- Business request
- POD Reference
- BRDE20250624021
- Term of Validity
- 25 June 2025 - 25 June 2026
- Company's Country
- Germany
- Type of partnership
- Supplier agreement
- Commercial agreement
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- The client produces waterproof roofing foils. During the production process it sometimes is necessary to connect sheets of foil because they break or legth must be expanded. Currently, this is done using superglue, which is neither safe nor cost-effective, plus employees do not like to work with it. The client is therefore looking for alternative bonding methods, innovative adhesive technologies, or partners who can offer safer, more efficient, and production-friendly solutions to connect foils.
- Full Description
-
About which materials are we talking about?
The first material is ethylene propylene diene rubber (short form: EPDM) and is a synthetic rubber with versatile properties. EPDM is characterised by its high resistance to weathering, UV radiation, ozone, acids and alkalis and is temperature-resistant from around -50°C to +130°C.
The material is processed in jumbo rolls of 500 to 600 meters each. In a subsequent production step, the membrane must be made continuous, requiring the connection of one EPDM-roll to the next. This is currently achieved using superglue.
However, due to safety concerns and handling difficulties, the client seeks an alternative bonding solution. While a safer variant of superglue could be acceptable, they are particularly interested in innovative alternatives that offer improved safety, ease of use, and cost-efficiency. Potential solutions may include:
• Adhesive tapes
• Two-component adhesives
• Quick-curing systems (e.g. UV, heat, or pressure activated)
• Other novel bonding technologies
The second material is thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This is a class of polymers that combine the elasticity of rubber with the processability of thermoplastics. In this context, it refers specifically to SBS-based TPE (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene), which is often used for coatings or flexible layers.
Later in the process, the EPDM layer is coated with a Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) (SBS-based) top layer. In some cases, TPE-to-TPE bonding is also required when joining material from different rolls.
This bonding step may require a different, second solution than the first mentioned EPDM-to-EPDM connection.
For both bonding scenarios (EPDM to EPDM and TPE to TPE), the following criteria are essential:
• High mechanical strength, especially tear and shear resistance
• Fast bonding time: the joint must be stressable within 15 seconds
• Reliable performance under production conditions
The company is looking for cooperation partners, suppliers, or technology providers who can offer suitable solutions or collaborate on the development of a tailored adhesive system. - Advantages and Innovations
-
The requested solution addresses a critical production challenge by enabling fast, reliable bonding of elastomeric materials without relying on hazardous adhesives.
It offers improved safety for workers by replacing superglue with a more user-friendly and less harmful alternative.
The innovation lies in the potential to integrate advanced bonding technologies (e.g. quick-curing adhesives, tapes, or hybrid systems) into a continuous manufacturing process, enhancing both efficiency and product quality.
A successful solution could be scalable and transferable to other industrial applications involving rubber or TPE materials. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
-
The company is looking for partners with expertise in adhesive technologies, polymer bonding, or industrial joining processes. The ideal solution should:
• Enable fast bonding (≤15 seconds until load-bearing)
• Provide strong adhesion for EPDM-to-EPDM and/or TPE-to-TPE connections
• Be safe and easy to handle in a production environment
• Be suitable for inline integration into a continuous manufacturing process
• Work reliably on rubber-based and thermoplastic elastomer materials
Experience with adhesive tapes, hotmelt systems, UV/heat/pressure curing adhesives, or customized bonding solutions for elastomers is particularly relevant.
As mentioned above, for both bonding scenarios (EPDM to EPDM and TPE to TPE), the following criteria are essential:
• High mechanical strength, especially tear and shear resistance
• Fast bonding time: the joint must be stressable within 15 seconds
• Reliable performance under production conditions - Stage of Development
- Already on the market
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
- Execution of pre-testing, supplying samples for production tests
- Type and Size of Partner
- Other
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- Big company
- SME 50 - 249
- Type of partnership
- Supplier agreement
- Commercial agreement
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 02007016 - Rubber
- 02007014 - Plastics, Polymers
- 02007001 - Adhesives
- 02002007 - Joining techniques (riveting, screw driving, gluing)
- 02002006 - Hardening, heat treatment
- Market keywords
- 08001018 - Polymer (plastics) materials
- 08001019 - Speciality/performance chemicals
- 08001007 - Coatings and adhesives manufactures
- 08001008 - Membranes and membrane-based products
- Sector Groups Involved
- Construction
- Targeted countries
- All countries