Thermoplastic elastomers - TPEs - have been the success stories of recent years. Their thermoplastic matrix makes them easy to process, and their elastomer phase can be used as a substitute for rubber. Their chemical composition is very diverse and the limits of their performance are being extended. Some are produced by compounding, others by block copolymerisation. There are also „green” versions based on renewable sources. Due to its length, this summary is presented in two parts.