Study Confirms Safety of SBS and SEBS in Food Medical Uses
February 2, 2026
Have you ever wondered about the safety of materials that come into daily contact with your food, medical treatments, or even your children's toys? When you learn these materials may be related to styrene—a potential carcinogen classified by the World Health Organization—does that concern grow? Today, we examine two common elastic materials: SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene block copolymer) and SEBS (Hydrogenated Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene block copolymer), which are widely used in consumer products.
First, we must clarify a critical distinction: the potential risks of styrene monomer are not equivalent to those of SBS or SEBS polymers. This is similar to how chlorine gas is toxic but table salt (which contains chlorine) is not—the chemical properties fundamentally change during formation.
Styrene is classified by WHO as a Group 2B carcinogen, meaning it's possibly carcinogenic to humans but evidence remains limited. However, SBS and SEBS are polymers formed through chemical reactions that stabilize the styrene molecules into long chains. These polymer structures are biologically inert—the human body cannot break them down or absorb them.
SBS consists of three molecular segments: two rigid polystyrene (PS) ends and a flexible polybutadiene (PB) middle section. This structure gives SBS its unique combination of strength and elasticity.
Key applications include:
- Footwear (shoe soles, insoles)
- Toys and stationery products
- Consumer goods (yoga mats, mouse pads)
- Asphalt modification for road construction
- Adhesives
However, SBS has limitations. The PB segment contains vulnerable double bonds that can degrade when exposed to oxygen, UV light, or heat, leading to material hardening and discoloration.
SEBS is essentially an upgraded version of SBS, created through hydrogenation—a process that removes the vulnerable double bonds in PB by converting them to more stable ethylene-butylene segments. This "molecular armor" provides superior properties:
- Enhanced weather resistance
- Higher heat tolerance
- Improved oxidation resistance
- Better biocompatibility
- Softer tactile feel
Premium applications include:
- Medical devices (catheters, IV tubes)
- Food packaging (cling film, container lids)
- Automotive components
- High-end consumer products (baby bottle nipples, tool grips)
| Certification | Significance |
|---|---|
| FDA Approval | Clears materials for food contact applications |
| ISO 10993 | Verifies biocompatibility for medical devices |
| EU RoHS | Ensures absence of hazardous substances |
| Application | TPE (SEBS-based) | TPR (SBS-based) |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Devices | Surgical tubing, IV components | Disposable gloves |
| Food Packaging | Premium containers, bottle caps | Disposable utensils |
- Bio-based materials: Developing SBS/SEBS from renewable resources
- Performance enhancement: Improving material properties through nanotechnology
- Smart materials: Integrating sensing capabilities into elastomers
"The safety of properly manufactured SBS and SEBS materials is well-established," says materials science expert Dr. Lee. "Consumers should focus on purchasing certified products from reputable manufacturers rather than fearing these materials outright."
Industry analyst Mr. Wang adds: "The future lies in sustainable production methods and high-performance applications that will expand these materials' roles across multiple sectors."