Consider combining comfort with color and performance properties using enhanced soft touch GLS™ TPE materials for even better results. SOFT-TOUCH GRIPS HIT THE COMFORT ZONE APPLICATION BULLETIN TPE—THE TOUGH SOFTIE As consumers, we want products that are dishwasher safe, resistant to chemicals and are able to stand up to everyday wear and tear. Adding a soft-touch grip to a household product is a practical and cost-effective way for designers to create the sensory experience and perception of higher quality that consumers crave.

CASE STUDY: VERSAFLEX™ SOFT-TOUCH THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS Challe nge Accepted. They presented Hoyt with a variety of options and suggested Avient’s Versaflex™ soft-touch thermoplastic elastomer as a material solution. THE IMPACT Versaflex soft-touch material offered Hoyt value— ergonomically, aesthetically, and functionally.

GLOBAL APPLIANCE BRAND P O W E R T O O L H A N D L E • Bonding to ABS • Scratch resistance • Colorable compound • Easy to grip/soft touch • Worked in synergy across business to produce a scratch resistant material suitable for ABS bonding in 19 different color options • Made new ergonomic design possible through better material properties, especially grip and soft touch • Enabled customer to market next generation of power tool, with updated look and feel OnFlex™ S KE Series KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT?

Most soft gels and soft foam rubbers are measured using the Shore 00 scale. Both properties reflect how the product feels to the touch.

Most soft gels and soft foam rubbers are measured using the Shore 00 scale. Both properties reflect how the product feels to the touch.

GLS™ TPE Soft-Touch Grips Outdoor - Application Bulletin GLS™ TPE Soft-Touch Grips Indoor - Application Bulletin GLS™ TPEs for soft touch packaging solutions

PolyOne developed an ultra-soft version of its GLS™ TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) approved for food contact and medical applications, and included non-toxic PolyOne colorants.  CelebriDucks chose blow molding rather than two-shot injection molding or rotational molding to achieve a one-piece floating toy that would also remain soft to the touch. The Good Duck™ is blow-molded from an ultra-soft TPE and uses non-toxic molded-in colorants from PolyOne.

HEALTHCARE DEVICE MANUFACTURER W E B K N E E B R A C E • Good bonding to polypropylene (PP) • Flexible and soft-touch feel • Skin contact, general FDA compliance • Good tensile strength and resilience • Excellent colorability • Offered material that passed the required FDA regulations • Provided high elasticity memory and ultra soft tactile finish to meet the comfort and pleasant surface feeling requirements • Delivered TPE with easy and stable processing and colorability DynaflexTM Thermoplastics Elastomer KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT? AVIENT SOLUTION COMPLIANCE + SOFT TOUCH LEARN MORE Copyright © 2021, Avient Corporation.

Many consumers prefer a “warm” soft touch feel over a hard plastic feel. The consumers’ preference for a soft touch, "warm" feel and a personalized color palette drives the use of TPEs in personal care products. Soft touch grips, knobs, and buttons are increasingly being targeted for TPE overmolding.

VICTORINOX S W I S S S O L D I E R ’ S K N I F E Transition from metal to polymer handle that would be more ergonomic and provide: • Scratch and chemical resistance • Impact resistance and durability • A grippy, soft-touch feel • Collaborated with the customer to fully understand and meet their design challenges and goals • Used design and material expertise to develop a customized two-material solution that met all key requirements • Enabled the customer to produce a new, innovative product appealing to its consumers Bergamid™ nylon copolymer overmolded with GLS™ TPE KEY REQUIREMENTS WHY AVIENT? All Rights Reserved. https://www.avient.com/idea/consider-adding-soft-touch-grips-competitive-edge