Teknor Apex launches 40% recycled-content TPV elastomers

Pawtucket, Rhode Island – Teknor Apex has expanded its portfolio of sustainable elastomers with the launch of thermoplastic vulcanisates (TPVs) containing up to 40% post-industrial recycled (PIR) content.

To be displayed at this year’s Fakuma show, Sarlink RX 3100B will be presented in two grades with an 84 Shore A and 94 Shore A, with 25% and 40% recycled content respectively.

The TPVs are suitable for automotive applications, providing a lightweight alternative to EPDM rubber, Teknor announced 21 Aug.

The materials process and perform similarly to their virgin counterparts while offering sustainability benefits such as reduced dependency on virgin petroleum-based plastic.

The grades are pre-coloured black and can still be recycled in process or at the end of the product’s life cycle.

Teknor said the use of PIR content versus post-consumer recycled content derived from household waste allowed for “a more controlled and consistent raw material stream that can be used in extrusion-grade TPVs without issue.”

The US-based compounder said it is carrying out a number of sustainability projects in close cooperation with its clients.

These, said global automotive market manager Scott Nakon, include new sustainable raw materials streams such as recycled and bio-based content, as well as carbon negative additives.

“Also, we plan to introduce new thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) with up to 65% post-consumer recycled content later this year,” he added.

Last year, Teknor Apex launched new Monprene TPEs that contain 25-35% recycled content, designed for injection moulding applications, including overmoulding onto polypropylene.