Why MeLuna Menstrual Cups Are Made from TPE Instead of Silicone

MeLuna menstrual cups are made from medical-device grade thermoplastic elastomer, or TPE, rather than silicone.

That choice is intentional. We believe TPE offers several advantages over silicone, both for the cup user and for the environment. Here’s why we chose it for MeLuna.

Why TPE?
  • Flexible and elastic for comfortable wear
  • Adapts with body heat and can gradually conform to your anatomy
  • Allows different firmness levels to better match individual needs
  • Manufactured with processes that reduce water and energy use and minimize material waste
  • Silicone-free and latex-free, providing another material option for people with sensitivities or allergies
  • Made from TPE specifically manufactured for medical-device applications

What Does “Thermoplastic Elastomer” Mean?

The name sounds more complicated than the material is.

  • “Thermo” refers to heat.
  • “Plasticity” refers to the ability of a material to change shape.
  • “Elastomer” means it has flexible, rubber-like properties.

Put those together and TPE is a flexible, elastic material that can soften and be shaped when enough heat is applied.

The word “thermoplastic” does not simply mean the type of everyday plastic you may be picturing. TPE is a large family of materials with many different formulations. MeLuna uses a TPE specifically manufactured for medical-device applications.

A Cup That Can Adapt to Your Body

TPE responds to warmth and pressure. With repeated use, your MeLuna cup may gradually become slightly oval as it conforms to your individual anatomy.

This is normal and does not mean your cup is damaged. When you boil the cup, the higher temperature allows the TPE to move back toward its original molded shape. With use, it may gradually conform to your body again.

TPE and Silicone Work Differently

Silicone and TPE can both be used to make flexible menstrual cups, but they behave differently during manufacturing.

Silicone used for menstrual cups is generally a thermoset material. Its ingredients undergo a chemical reaction during curing to form the finished silicone. Once cured, it cannot simply be melted and reshaped into a new silicone product.

TPE works differently. Heat softens TPE so it can be shaped again. Suitable leftover TPE from production can therefore be heated and processed again instead of automatically becoming waste.

A Silicone-Free and Latex-Free Option

MeLuna TPE contains no silicone and no latex.

This makes MeLuna an important alternative for people who are sensitive or allergic to silicone or latex, or who simply need to avoid those materials.

Because TPE is its own family of materials, choosing a TPE menstrual cup gives you a flexible, reusable cup without either silicone or latex.

TPE Creates Less Waste During Manufacturing

One important advantage of TPE is simple: suitable leftover material from production can be reused.

Because TPE can be heated, softened, and processed again, manufacturing material does not necessarily have to become waste. Cured silicone cannot simply be melted down and used again to make another cup.

Silicone also begins with an energy-intensive manufacturing process. It starts with quartz that must be processed at extremely high temperatures, typically around 1,800 to 2,000°C, to produce silicon metal. The silicon then goes through several additional chemical processes before it becomes silicone.

Most of the world’s silicon metal is currently produced in China. This is an important distinction when looking at where a finished menstrual cup is made. A silicone cup may be molded into its final shape in the U.S., Germany, or another country, but that does not necessarily tell you where its raw silicone or upstream ingredients originated.

With MeLuna, we know where our TPE comes from. KRAIBURG TPE manufactures MeLuna’s TPE material in Germany. The company has worked for years to keep water use low, and its German operation has historically reported water consumption of about 0.7 cubic meters per metric ton of TPE produced.

KRAIBURG TPE’s German production site now also uses 100% renewable electricity.

MeLuna continues that resource-conscious approach when the cups are molded. More than 99% of the water used to cool the production equipment is continuously recirculated through a closed-loop system, and the facility also has its own rooftop solar panels.

For us, these are meaningful advantages: suitable TPE production material can be reused instead of discarded, water is carefully managed at both stages of production, and renewable electricity plays an important role in making the material and the finished cup.

What Research Found About TPE and Bacterial Growth

A 2018 study published in Applied and Environmental Microbiology compared four commercially available menstrual cups, including MeLuna TPE cups and silicone cups.

The researchers found that Staphylococcus aureus growth was significantly lower with the TPE cups than with the silicone cups tested (P < 0.001).

They also found more S. aureus bacteria in the biofilm on the silicone cup than on the TPE MeLuna cup. Under static test conditions, TSST-1 production was also significantly lower with the MeLuna TPE cup than with the silicone cup tested (P = 0.002).

These were laboratory findings. They do not mean that TPE prevents Toxic Shock Syndrome. The researchers also found that factors such as cup size, shape, and air introduced with the cup affected bacterial growth and toxin production.

However, the study does provide evidence that cup material can influence bacterial growth and biofilm formation, with TPE performing favorably compared with silicone in several of the tests.

Read the 2018 study in Applied and Environmental Microbiology

The Specific TPE Used for MeLuna Matters

Not all TPE is the same. TPE describes a large family of materials used for very different purposes. The TPE used for a yoga mat or household product is not the same formulation used for a MeLuna menstrual cup. MeLuna uses a TPE specifically manufactured for medical-device applications. In this short video, we explain what makes MeLuna's material different and address some common misconceptions about TPE.

MeLuna cups use TPE manufactured by KRAIBURG TPE in Germany for sensitive applications, including medical-device applications. MeLuna TPE is also latex-free.

The U.S. version of the MeLuna menstrual cup received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2014. FDA clearance applies to the finished medical device, not simply the name of the raw material.

Learn more about KRAIBURG TPE

Made in Germany

MeLuna menstrual cups are manufactured in Germany. TPE granules are heated and injected into precision molds, cooled, removed, and individually inspected. Cups that do not meet the required standard are not released for sale.

The U.S. version is manufactured specifically for the U.S. market and is the version covered by MeLuna’s U.S. FDA clearance. MeLuna USA cups also use colorants selected for the U.S. product. A clear version is available if you prefer a cup without added colorant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TPE plastic?

TPE stands for thermoplastic elastomer and belongs to a broad family of polymer materials. The word “thermoplastic” describes how the material responds to heat. It can soften and be shaped when enough heat is applied.

Calling TPE simply “plastic” can be misleading in everyday conversation because that does not tell you how the material behaves, what formulation it uses, or what it was designed for. MeLuna uses a flexible TPE manufactured for medical-device applications.

Does TPE contain silicone?

No. TPE and silicone are different materials.

Does MeLuna TPE contain latex?

No. MeLuna TPE is latex-free.

Why does my MeLuna cup become oval?

TPE responds to warmth and pressure. With use, your cup may gradually conform to your anatomy and become slightly oval. This is normal. Boiling the cup can allow it to move back toward its original molded shape.

Why can TPE production create less material waste than silicone?

TPE can be softened with heat and processed again. This means suitable leftover material from manufacturing can be reused.

Silicone menstrual cups are made from cured silicone. During curing, its ingredients undergo a chemical reaction that creates the finished material. Once cured, silicone cannot be melted and molded into another product.

Can I put my used MeLuna cup in household recycling?

The fact that TPE can be reprocessed during manufacturing does not mean every municipal recycling program accepts used TPE products. Consumer recycling options depend on the facilities and programs available in your area.

Is silicone safer than TPE?

Safety cannot be determined simply from the words “silicone” or “TPE.” The specific formulation, intended use, manufacturing controls, and finished product matter.

MeLuna uses TPE manufactured for medical-device applications, and the U.S. version of the MeLuna menstrual cup is FDA cleared.

Is MeLuna FDA approved?

The accurate term for menstrual cups and similar devices is FDA cleared. The U.S. version of the MeLuna menstrual cup received FDA 510(k) clearance in 2014. FDA establishment registration and FDA clearance are separate regulatory requirements.

Both Me Luna Germany and MeLuna USA (Domino Pads LLC) are FDA registered and monitored faclities.
Where are MeLuna cups made?

MeLuna menstrual cups are manufactured in Germany.

Sources & Additional Reading