HEXPOL has expanded its automotive materials portfolio with thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) containing post-consumer recyclate (PCR), including grades with more than 80 percent recycled content, according to a company press release dated Oct. 12.
The materials were presented at Fakuma 2026 in Germany. The portfolio covers PC/ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), reinforced polypropylene (PP) and TPE. Depending on the polymer type, application requirements and material availability, the compounds contain recycled content ranging from 10 percent to more than 80 percent. Selected grades also incorporate more than 25 percent end-of-life vehicle recyclate.
The materials were developed by HEXPOL's almaak, RheTech and TPE businesses and are designed for automotive interior and exterior components. Named applications include center consoles, trim, bumper brackets, inlay mats, sidesteps, mudflaps, grommets, electronic housings and noise- and vibration-dampening parts.
Addressing OEM requirements
According to HEXPOL, the compounds are intended to help automotive manufacturers meet requirements for recycled plastics while maintaining material consistency and performance.
"We're supporting the automotive industry to meet growing requirements for plastic materials containing Post-Consumer Recyclate," said Dr. Thomas Koeppl, global head of product management for HEXPOL Thermoplastics.
Koeppl said the company manages mechanical performance, color stability, odor, volatile organic compound emissions and long-term durability in its recycled-content compounds.
Adhesion and molding tests
HEXPOL also tested several PC/ABS and TPE combinations for multicomponent molding. Adhesion testing conducted according to ASTM D903 showed peel strength greater than 5 newtons per millimeter, the company said.
Specific grades
The offering includes several compounds for defined automotive applications:
- Anjacom PC/ABS R050/75S PCR contains 30 percent post-consumer recyclate and is intended for center consoles, cupholders and interior trim. HEXPOL said the material is already in serial production with Volkswagen Group for the Cupra brand.
- Anjacom ABS R050/7020 PCR also contains 30 percent recycled content and targets interiors, bumper brackets and glovebox covers.
- Rhecomp RCT230-00 is a polypropylene compound reinforced with 20 percent talc that contains 80 percent post-consumer recyclate, intended for brackets, wire channels and shields.
- Rhecomp RCG230-00 is a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene grade containing 40 percent recycled content, also for brackets, wire channels and shields.
The TPE portfolio includes Dryflex PCR 753468-3, a thermoplastic styrene elastomer containing 75 percent post-consumer recyclate for inlay mats, and Dryflex PCW 90A331B, a thermoplastic polyolefin containing 33 percent end-of-life vehicle recyclate for exterior applications and mudflaps.
The new post-consumer recyclate compounds supplement HEXPOL's existing portfolio of materials containing post-industrial recyclate.
At Fakuma, HEXPOL TPE exhibited in Hall B1, stand 1117, while almaak was located in Hall B2, stand 2214.