Soft, Lightweight GLS VERSAFLEX® TPE Helps the Lobie(TM) Accessory Ease Discomfort of Earbuds
Clear, Colorable VERSAFLEX® CL30 TPE Delivers Ideal Level of Pliability for Adjustable Fit and Maximum Comfort
MCHENRY, ILL - Jan. 4, 2008 - GLS Corp., a global leader in the development, manufacture and supply of high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), today announced that the new Lobie(TM) earbud accessory from Acousticlobe features its soft, lightweight VERSAFLEX® CL30 material. The Lobie, which launched in October, is designed to position earbuds next to the ear so users avoid the discomfort of inserting them into the ear canal. The product's unique design required a material with a specific durometer for pliability without floppiness, a high coefficient of friction to keep the Lobie in place over the ear, colorability and clarity - as well as US Food and Drug Agency approval. VERSAFLEX CL30 TPE met all these requirements.
"Earbuds make music players and other electronic devices highly portable, but plenty of people find them uncomfortable or ill-fitting, especially with extended use. We designed the Lobie to solve those drawbacks, said Tom Dean, president of Acousticlobe. Fortunately, we got together with GLS, because their VERSAFLEX thermoplastic elastomer was the only material to meet all of our specifications. With the colorability and performance of VERSAFLEX, we created a product that not only makes earbud use more pleasant, but also looks cool."
VERSAFLEX CL30 TPE is an easy-processing compound designed for use in injection molding and extrusion applications where water-clarity and excellent colorability are required. In the Lobie accessory, VERSAFLEX provides:
o Light weight to enhance the portability of music players and other electronics
o Pliability that allows the Lobie to be stretched to accommodate different ear sizes without being floppy
o High coefficient of friction to provide a secure fit when people are engaged in different activities such as jogging, skateboarding and cycling.
o Durability for repeated use
o Soft touch for comfort
Lobie is the first earbud adaptor offering universal compatibility with most earbud products. It is also the first in a line of PASGEAR(TM) (Passive Acoustic Support Gear) products by Acousticlobe.
According to Walter Ripple, vice president of global sales and marketing for GLS Corp., "Our VERSAFLEX TPEs are a cost-effective solution for manufacturers of 'soft touch' products such as the Lobie accessory. Although Acousticlobe found that a standard grade of VERSAFLEX TPE met their needs, GLS offers custom formulation services to help our customers achieve unique performance attributes."
About GLS Corp.
GLS Corp., a global leader in the development, manufacture, and supply of high-performance, custom-formulated thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), is headquartered in the United States near Chicago in McHenry, Ill. The company specializes in the manufacture of application-specific soft and ultra-soft TPEs for injection molding and extrusion. GLS has supplied specialty TPEs to the industry since 1979, and is recognized as a worldwide leader in TPE technology solutions. Specific products sold by GLS include proprietary DYNAFLEX® TPE compounds based on KRATON® polymers (available in injection molding and extrusion, as well as medical and FDA grades); VERSAFLEX® TPE specialty alloys (available in soft-touch, lightweight, ultra-soft, ultra-clear, and overmolding grades); VERSALLOY(TM) TPV alloys; and VERSOLLAN(TM) TPU alloy compounds. GLS recently announced a partnership with The Dow Chemical Company to offer TPE compounds based on INFUSE(TM) olefin block copolymer technology under GLS' DYNALLOY® OBC trade name. GLS is also the exclusive distributor of KRATON compounds and polymers for the compounding market in the United States, and also distributes KRATON compounds and polymers globally.
Media Contacts:
Walter Ripple
GLS Corp.
815-385-8500
wripple@glscorp.com
Jim Allison
AH&M Marketing Communications
413-448-2260
jallison@ahminc.com
For more information on the TPE products, contact:
In Europe: GLS International Inc. - Phone: +31 165 331 293
In Asia: GLS Thermoplastic Alloys Suzhou Co. Ltd. - Phone: +86 512 6265 2600
In Hong Kong: GLS Hong Kong Ltd - Phone: +852 2690 5330
In Taiwan: GLS Taiwan - Phone: +886 9396 99740
In USA: GLS Corp. - Phone: +1 800 457 8777
