Taiwan-based silicone components manufacturer General Silicones will be showcasing its innovative Compo-SiL® decorative film at two major European trade shows: MEDICA 2024 in Düsseldorf and Electronica 2024 in Munich. The company aims to highlight the sustainability and design benefits of its silicone-based solution for membrane keypads, which can be used across medical, electronic, and industrial devices. Visitors to the shows will have the opportunity to explore various prototypes and book meetings with General Silicones’ experts.
MEDICA, the world’s largest trade fair for medical technology, will run from November 11-14, while Electronica, focusing on the electronics industry, will take place from November 12-15. General Silicones will exhibit in Hall 16, Booth E14-5 at MEDICA, and in Hall A2, Booth 456-3 at Electronica.
Michael Lin, President and CEO of General Silicones, spoke about the growing potential of silicone alternatives in keypads: “As devices flourish and diversify, membrane keypads are becoming a key opportunity to replace plastic with alternatives like silicone, and we hope to lead the way. General Silicones has already leveraged silicone to optimise human-machine interface designs for some of the world’s top automakers, and now we aim to expand Compo-SiL®’s reach into new industries across Europe.”
A Sustainable Plastic Alternative
Compo-SiL® offers a premium alternative to plastic for membrane keypads, aligning with Europe’s push towards greater sustainability. A study commissioned by Silicones Europe revealed that silicone could help save up to 96.4 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions annually by 2030, underscoring its role in Europe’s decarbonisation efforts.
General Silicones is positioning Compo-SiL® as a solution that not only enhances the performance and design of keypads but also offers significant environmental benefits.
Innovating Keypad Designs
The company’s use of silicone in membrane keypads presents several key advantages over traditional materials. Silicone is highly resistant to degradation caused by weather, temperature, UV exposure, and cleaning agents, making it particularly valuable in industries requiring durable and hygienic solutions, such as healthcare.
The material also offers antimicrobial properties when combined with silver or zinc agents, and it is biocompatible, skin-friendly, and latex-free—qualities crucial for medical applications. Compo-SiL®’s transparency further enables its use in backlit or monitoring devices, while its tactile feedback delivers softer yet more precise responses for users.
In the medical sector, General Silicones has already demonstrated the benefits of silicone in devices such as nebuliser plugs, sealing gaskets, mouthpieces, and breathing masks. At MEDICA, the company will be showcasing how Compo-SiL® can improve the reliability and hygiene of these devices. Meanwhile, at Electronica, the focus will shift to HMI (human-machine interface) switch pads and keypads, areas where General Silicones has produced over 20,000 types. The firm will also exhibit hybrid components and sealing solutions for electronic devices.
A Longstanding Industry Leader
With over 50 years of experience and more than 30 years of success in the European automotive and medical industries, General Silicones is well positioned to meet the evolving needs of global markets. At both trade shows, the company’s experts will be on hand to discuss how silicone solutions can optimise product designs and drive sustainable innovation in a range of industries.
