HEXPOL has expanded its automotive materials portfolio with thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) that incorporate post-consumer recyclate (PCR), including grades containing more than 80% recycled content. The company presented the new compounds at Fakuma 2026 in Germany, according to a press release dated Oct. 12.
The portfolio spans PC/ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), reinforced polypropylene (PP) and TPE. Depending on the polymer type, application requirements and material availability, the compounds carry recycled content ranging from 10% to more than 80%. Selected grades also incorporate more than 25% end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recyclate.
The materials were developed by HEXPOL's almaak, RheTech and TPE businesses and target 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.
Performance and qualification
HEXPOL says the compounds are designed to meet automotive manufacturers' requirements for recycled plastics while maintaining material consistency and performance. Dr. Thomas Köppl, global head of product management for HEXPOL Thermoplastics, said the company is supporting the automotive industry's growing requirements for plastic materials containing PCR. Köppl said HEXPOL manages mechanical performance, color stability, odor, volatile organic compound emissions and long-term durability in its recycled-content compounds.
The company 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, according to HEXPOL.
Specific grades in the offering
- Anjacom PC/ABS R050/75S PCR contains 30% post-consumer recyclate and is intended for center consoles, cupholders and interior trim. HEXPOL says the material is already in serial production with Volkswagen Group for the Cupra brand.
- Anjacom ABS R050/7020 PCR also contains 30% recycled content and targets interiors, bumper brackets and glovebox covers.
- Rhecomp RCT230-00 is a polypropylene compound reinforced with 20% talc that contains 80% post-consumer recyclate.
- Rhecomp RCG230-00 is a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene grade containing 40% recycled content.
Both Rhecomp grades are intended for brackets, wire channels and shields.
On the TPE side, the portfolio includes Dryflex PCR 753468-3, a thermoplastic styrene elastomer containing 75% post-consumer recyclate for inlay mats, and Dryflex PCW 90A331B, a thermoplastic polyolefin containing 33% end-of-life vehicle recyclate for exterior applications and mudflaps.
The new PCR 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.