Hexpol TPE to showcase new recycled-content elastomers

Malmö, Sweden – Hexpol TPE will present new additions to its Dryflex Circular range of thermoplastic elastomer materials containing post–consumer recyclate (PCR) and/or post–industrial recyclate (PIR) at this year’s Fakuma expo*.

“These latest developments are part of our ongoing work to bring TPEs to the market that deliver on performance, product safety and push possibilities using recycled materials”, said Dr Thomas Köppl, group product manager, Hexpol TPE.

Features will include TPEs with 20-to-75% post–consumer recyclate (PCR) content in hardness range 40 to 95 Shore A. These are said to enable a product carbon footprint (PCF) reduction of up to 35% compared to equivalent virgin TPE grades.

Hexpol will also present newly developed TPEs for multi-component applications, including grades with 35-60% PCR/PIR content that offer adhesion to a range of thermoplastics including PP, PA, PC, PC/ABS.

For the automotive industry, Hexpol is introducing new TPEs with up to 75% recycled content (PCR and PIR) for various applications, including interior mats and air deflector seals. 

Also lined up for Fakuma are TPEs with 25-50% PCR sourced from within the automotive industry, which are available for exterior applications such as mud flaps and other soft trims.

Already in use with several European OEMs, the elastomers comply with proposed targets under the EU End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive, said Hexpol, noting that they enable a PCF reduction of around 25% compared to equivalent virgin TPE grades.

Hexpol will also highlight the capabilities of its elastomers for interior applications, including TPEs with PCR/PIR content up to 75%, which “have been tested to automotive standards for odour and emissions.”

*Fakuma is scheduled to take place 15-19 Oct in Friedrichshafen, Germany