TPE Coffee Cup Lid that can be Reused

Sustainability, comfort, and pleasure are no longer mutually exclusive – and manufacturers are responding. Take Cadios GmbH, a German start-up that has created the world's first reusable lid for coffee mugs and cups. The TPE conically shaped lid suits most traditional household cups and, thanks to its toughness, may contribute to long-term waste reduction. The "Udo" lid comes in a variety of colors and can be personalized. [caption id="attachment_124623" align="aligncenter"] The space-saving, sustainable "coffee to go" solution: The lid made of TPE fits on most common household cups. (Image: © 2021 Felix Hackland)[/caption]   With the 3 July 2021 deadline approaching, there is still high demand for smart solutions in the takeaway food sector that are as sustainable as possible. To protect the oceans and the environment, a ban on the sale of single-use goods will be coming into effect on that date. The ban applies to single-use products such as drinking straws, swizzle sticks and cotton swabs, tableware and disposable cups.

There are already plenty of alternative products, but most of them involve complete replacement with new products such as recyclable coffee cups. To solve this problem, Cadios has developed the first reusable coffee cup lid: "Udo" is made in Germany in a climate-neutral process. In addition, the TPE compound, also produced in Germany, can be returned to the technical production cycle through in-process recycling.

  Since the creators of "Udo" regard sustainability and quality as the central aims of their work, their materials choice was in favour of a compound from KRAIBURG TPE's portfolio. The halogen-free THERMOLAST® K product is particularly suitable for applications in everyday use and provides appropriate durability without losing its high quality over an extended period of time. The compound also has a soft-touch surface, making it very comfortable to hold but still providing a non-slip grip. The TPE can be custom-coloured in any way you like and customized with a company logo using laser technology. Excellent mechanical properties and good compression set also meet users' requirements. An overview of additional advantages of the compound used:  

• In-process recycling is possible
• Dishwasher safe
• Outstandingly good grip due to excellent haptic properties
• High-temperature resistance
• Suitable for multi-component injection moulding
• Conformity with Regulation (EU) No. 10/2011
• Raw materials conformity US FDA CFR 21
• Conformity with DIN EN 71-3

"We set high standards for the materials that are used for our design products, because we want to supply our customers with an honest, sustainable and high-quality product. KRAIBURG TPE's compound scored with its whole package. The material meets our expectations and helps to supply our customers with genuine added value. After all, hot drinks taste best when you drink them from your favourite cup," says Carina Frings, Head of Marketing & Design, Public Relations at Cadios.