Trelleborg and Celanese Collaborate to Reinvent Ball Joint Sealing Boots

 Celanese Corporation (NYSE: CE), a global specialty materials and chemical company, and Trelleborg, a leading manufacturer of automotive components, have joined forces to develop a new generation of ball joint sealing boots. This partnership introduces a shift from traditional chloroprene rubber (CR) to Hytrel® thermoplastic elastomer (TPC). This material innovation goes beyond substitution—it enables a complete redesign of the sealing boot. For example, manufacturers may eliminate the need for metal clamping rings, further reducing complexity and weight, unlocking significant advantages in manufacturing efficiency, part performance, and environmental impact. 

The new designs will be showcased at the Celanese stand, 6/D02, at the K Show in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8–15.

Meeting the Demands of Modern Mobility

Ball joint sealing boots are essential components in steering and suspension systems. Their use is increasing, particularly in electric vehicles equipped with double wishbone suspensions. The transition to Hytrel® TPC offers clear benefits:

•Cost Efficiency: Multi-cavity injection molding of Hytrel® TPC reduces part costs by at least 10% compared to CR, thanks to streamlined processing.

•Weight Reduction: The higher stiffness of Hytrel® TPC allows for thinner wall designs, resulting in parts that are 10–20% lighter overall.

•Simplified Production: As a thermoplastic, Hytrel® TPC eliminates the need for post-curing or cross-linking, simplifying the manufacturing workflow.

•Waste Minimization: Scrap material from Hytrel® TPC can be reground and reused, supporting circular production practices.

 

Enabling Smarter Design

“Combining our expertise and resources accelerates and secures the development of these technically demanding products—both in terms of material and structural design, as well as production,” said Thomas Leblois, President of the Boots Business Unit at Trelleborg.

“The benefits for the automotive supply chain are compelling. We’re excited to share more insights and data at the K Show,” added Laurent Lefebvre, Automotive Marketing Director at Celanese.

A Proven Track Record

Hytrel® TPC has already demonstrated its value in driveshaft CVJ boots, where it has replaced CR in over 90% of applications since the 1980s. Trelleborg has played a key role in this transformation, leveraging innovative designs and advanced manufacturing processes to successfully transition from rubber to TPE. This proven combination of material performance and engineering expertise now extends to ball joint sealing boots.

Meet Trelleborg and Celanese at the K Show

Visit Hall 6 / Stand D02 to meet with experts from both companies and learn more about this innovation.

Journalists are invited to meet with Trelleborg and Celanese experts at the Celanese stand on Friday, October 10 at 11:00 AM. 

 

About Trelleborg

Since 1992, Trelleborg Boots has been an expert in designing and manufacturing TPE boots for steering and transmission systems in light vehicles. In close collaboration with its suppliers, the company continuously innovates to meet evolving market needs. Present in eight countries across the Americas, Europe-Africa, and Asia-Pacific, Trelleborg Boots combines global expertise with local agility to deliver complete solutions — from design to finished product. Its mission is to provide tailor-made solutions that merge innovation and multifunctionality, addressing today’s challenges while anticipating tomorrow’s needs.

About Celanese 

Celanese is a global leader in chemistry, producing specialty material solutions used across most major industries and consumer applications. Our businesses use our chemistry, technology and commercial expertise to create value for our customers, employees and shareholders. We support sustainability by responsibly managing the materials we create and growing our portfolio of sustainable products to meet customer and societal demand. We strive to make a positive impact in our communities and to foster inclusivity across our teams. Celanese is a Fortune 500 company that employs more than 11,000 employees worldwide with 2024 net sales of $10.3 billion.

For further information contact: 

Matt Defosse 

Marketing Communications

Celanese Engineered Materials 

Matthew.Defosse@celanese.com

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