We do all this for the sake of quality.
Take the “Mysterious Flame” faucet as an example. It’s made of platinum silicone. When we pour a batch in the workshop, there’s absolutely no odor. No chemical smell, no sweet scent—just the warmth of the mold and the hum of the vacuum chamber.
When TPE molds are removed—and we know this because we’ve tested them—there’s an odor. It’s sweet, with a hint of chemicals. It gradually fades over a few weeks. Sometimes it doesn’t disappear completely. This was the first thing we noticed when we decided to use only platinum-cured silicone. And yet, this is the least significant difference.
What Actually Happens Inside the Mold
Platinum-silicone cures through a platinum-catalyzed reaction. The result is a completely inert material—it doesn’t interact with your body, doesn’t absorb anything it comes into contact with, and doesn’t break down when heated or cleaned repeatedly. TPE is a thermoplastic: it’s less expensive and faster to produce, but it’s inherently porous. Under a microscope, the surface looks like a sponge. You can’t see it, but bacteria can find it.
For toys like the Mysterious Flame Faucet, which have deep internal channels, this is no minor detail. This is the difference between being able to disinfect a toy and simply rinsing it off.
What We Observed After 6 Months of Use
I. Texture Retention. The internal ridges of our platinum-cured silicone sheets look exactly the same on the 18th month as they did on the first day. The TPE equivalent began to lose its contour around the 4th to 6th month, especially when cleaned regularly.
II. Color Stability. The vibrant colors of the Phosphate Series remain vivid. In the case of the yellow TPE, the pigment migrates to the surface over time.
3. Surface Feel. The platinum silicone retains its velvety texture. As plasticizers slowly leach out, the TPE becomes sticky. This is also the source of the odor.
| Comparison Items | Platinum-cured silicone | TPE (Competitor) |
| Safety | Non-toxic, phthalate-free | May contain phthalates |
| Surface | Non-porous, bacteria-resistant | Porous, harbors bacteria |
| Texture | Remains unchanged for years | Flattens within a few months |
| Odor | None from day one | Chemical odor that gradually fades |
| Cleaning | Rinse with warm water or boil | Hand wash only |
| Hardness | Shore A 20–35 (adjusted by product) | Inconsistent across batches |
| Lifespan | 1–2 years with normal use | 6–12 months |
Why We Don’t Offer a TPE Version
We’ve been asked to. TPE would let us lower our prices. Molding is faster. This material costs less per kilogram. But we’d have to stop telling people their toys can be boiled. We’d have to watch the phosphorite color fade after six months and then pretend it’s normal.
Platinum-cured silicone is the only material that allows the Mysterious Flame Faucet to truly live up to its promise—long-lasting, body-safe, and worth the price.
Every single part of a Czymiex product is made of platinum-cured silicone. No exceptions.
