HEXPOL has expanded its automotive materials portfolio with thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) containing post-consumer recyclate (PCR), including grades formulated with more than 80% recycled content, the company said in a press release dated Oct. 12.
The compounds were presented at Fakuma 2026 in Germany. The portfolio spans PC/ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), reinforced polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers.
Depending on the polymer type, application requirements and material availability, recycled content ranges from 10% to more than 80%, according to HEXPOL. Selected grades also incorporate more than 25% end-of-life vehicle recyclate.
The materials were developed by HEXPOL's almaak, RheTech and TPE businesses and are aimed at automotive interior and exterior components. Target applications include center consoles, trim, bumper brackets, inlay mats, sidesteps, mudflaps, grommets, electronic housings, and noise- and vibration-dampening parts.
HEXPOL said the compounds are designed to address automakers' 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 Köppl, global head of product management for HEXPOL Thermoplastics.
Köppl said the company 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 carried out according to ASTM D903 showed peel strength greater than 5 newtons per millimeter, HEXPOL said.
Named grades and applications
HEXPOL listed several compounds for specific automotive uses:
- Anjacom PC/ABS R050/75S PCR, containing 30% post-consumer recyclate, 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 with 30% recycled content, targets interiors, bumper brackets and glovebox covers.
- Rhecomp RCT230-00, a polypropylene compound reinforced with 20% talc, contains 80% post-consumer recyclate.
- Rhecomp RCG230-00, a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene grade, contains 40% recycled content. Both Rhecomp grades are intended for brackets, wire channels and shields.
- Dryflex PCR 753468-3, a thermoplastic styrene elastomer containing 75% post-consumer recyclate, is aimed at inlay mats.
- Dryflex PCW 90A331B, a thermoplastic polyolefin containing 33% end-of-life vehicle recyclate, targets exterior applications and mudflaps.
The new PCR compounds supplement HEXPOL's existing portfolio of materials containing post-industrial recyclate.
At Fakuma, HEXPOL TPE was exhibiting in Hall B1, stand 1117, while almaak was located in Hall B2, stand 2214.