Playmobil
Working with Silicone is Child’s Play
The name “Playmobil” evokes a magical world of miniature plastic figures. Their creator, Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG, now also focuses on silicone – providing completely new play opportunities for children worldwide.
-
The branch of the weeping willow from Playmobil's "Feenwelt" ("Fairyland") only achieves its flexibility from silicone
M+S Formteile, located in Saerbeck, northwest Germany, specializes in the production of injection-molded articles of solid and liquid silicone rubber.
For years, it has been supplying Geobra Brandstätter GmbH & Co. KG - for the Playmobil play worlds - with small, yet interesting parts that can’t be produced using other plastics.
Since their 1974 market introduction, over two billion of the characteristically designed miniature plastic figures have been sold. Via 330 injection-molding machines, the main production facility in Dietenhofen (Bavaria, Germany) alone consumes 16,000 metric tons of plastic annually.
-
M+S Formteile’s unique injection molds quickly create defect-free silicone branches
Weeping Willow of Silicone
The toy manufacturer obtains its specialty elastomers, including parts for its newest "baby": Feenwelt ("Fairyland" - not yet available everywhere), from suppliers such as M+S. Feenwelt (fairyland).
Among these items is a small green silicone part made of WACKER’s ELASTOSIL® LR 3003 liquid silicone.
Hardly bigger than a hand, the individual part is rather unspectacular. However, when several are affixed to a plastic trunk, the result is a huge weeping willow.
-
Dr. Elmar Kolossa from WACKER SILICONES (left) and Markus Pflips of M+S Formteile examine a silicone branch
Especially Free-Flowing
Producing these green toy parts is not as easy as it looks
because the flow paths are relatively long. Transitional areas range from thin to thick, partially reaching around the corner and back again. The part is also quite asymmetrical.
However, WACKER’s liquid silicone flows so well that it even fills out the fine leaves on branch tips.
Plasticizer-Free Alternative
Without silicone, this item wouldn’t be possible.
Soft and flexible plastics typically contain plasticizers, such as the problematic phthalates and other additives which have been long banned at Playmobil. However, an alternative is now available: WACKER’s ELASTOSIL® line of silicones.
They are hygienic, easily cleaned and flame-resistant, they exhibit high mechanical resistance and don’t melt. Plus, they are not even dangerous when swallowed. After all, silicone is free of sharp edges and contains no hazardous materials.
Silicone therefore also has a bright future in the baby-care sector. Products such as nipples, pacifiers, teething rings and training cup lids are increasingly made from silicone.