At the K 2025 trade fair for plastics and rubber, Wacker will highlight a new series of temper-free liquid silicone rubber grades developed for food and other sensitive applications. The range includes a biomethanol-based variant. A key exhibit will be Elastosil eco LR 5003, a non-postcure LSR that enables efficient high-volume molding of articles such as mouthpieces, drinking straws, baking tins and dough scrapers. According to the company, molded parts produced from this silicone meet the volatile content limits of the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, BfR, without thermal post-treatment. They also comply with U.S. Food and Drug Administration requirements for food-contact products. The material will be used on site to produce mouthpieces for innovative water bottles designed by air up. K 2025 takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 8 to 15, where Wacker will exhibit in Hall 6, Stand A10.
The air up bottles employ a ring-shaped flavor pod attached to the mouthpiece to create a sensory perception known as retronasal perception. This approach enables plain water to be perceived as differently flavored, without sugar or other additives. By pairing this concept with a non-postcure LSR, the demonstration focuses on process efficiency and regulatory conformity in food-contact molding, alongside potential resource savings associated with the grade and the short supply chain behind the exhibit.
Material and compliance details
Elastosil eco LR 5003 is designed for large-scale production where elimination of postcuring can reduce cycle time and energy demand. As far as volatiles content is concerned, parts molded from this silicone meet BfR limits without postcuring, and the grade also meets FDA requirements applicable to food-contact products. Postcuring remains optional; it may be applied to achieve higher strength levels if needed. Typical target applications cited by the company include mouthpieces for air up bottles as well as drinking straws, baking tins, dough scrapers and similar household items.
Localized supply chain and live molding demo
Wacker will demonstrate the mouthpiece production using a four-cavity mold with cold runner nozzle technology. The company and its partners will also present a short, European supply chain in which all production steps take place within a radius of approximately 140 kilometers. Wacker produces the silicone base in Burghausen, Germany. Rico manufactures the tools and the molded mouthpieces in Thalheim/Wels, Austria. Greiner AG in Kremsmünster, Austria, handles the final assembly. According to the partners, this setup supports quality assurance and supply stability, and aligns with air up's global market approach, including activities on social media with participation of well-known influencers.
The key to air up water bottles is the innovative mouthpiece made of silicone rubber from WACKER. At its booth at the K 2025 International Trade Fair for Plastics and Rubber, the Group will demonstrate live how ELASTOSIL eco LR 5003 is used to manufactu
Application context
The demonstrated application centers on the air up mouthpiece, which interfaces with a ring-shaped flavor pod. The pod is designed to enable retronasal perception, allowing consumers to experience flavor while drinking water that contains no added sugar or other additives. The LSR mouthpiece is a core component of the system, providing the necessary geometry and material performance for food-contact use.
Where to find Wacker at K 2025
Wacker will present Elastosil eco LR 5003 and conduct live molding of mouthpieces in Hall 6, Booth A10, during K 2025 in Düsseldorf, from October 8 to 15.
