HEXPOL has expanded its automotive materials portfolio with thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers containing post-consumer recyclate (PCR), including grades with more than 80% recycled content. The materials were presented at Fakuma 2026 in Germany, according to a company press release dated Oct. 12.
The portfolio covers PC/ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), reinforced polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). Depending on the polymer type, application requirements and material availability, the compounds contain recycled content ranging from 10% to more than 80%. Selected grades also incorporate more than 25% end-of-life vehicle recyclate.
Developed by three HEXPOL businesses
The compounds were developed by HEXPOL's almaak, RheTech and TPE companies. They are designed for automotive interior and exterior components, including center consoles, trim, bumper brackets, inlay mats, sidesteps, mudflaps, grommets, electronic housings and noise- and vibration-dampening parts. According to HEXPOL, the materials are intended to address automotive manufacturers' 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.
Grades for specific applications
The offering includes several compounds for defined automotive uses. Anjacom PC/ABS R050/75S PCR contains 30% 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% recycled content and targets interiors, bumper brackets and glovebox covers.
Other grades include Rhecomp RCT230-00, a polypropylene compound reinforced with 20% talc that contains 80% post-consumer recyclate, and Rhecomp RCG230-00, a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene grade containing 40% recycled content. Both are intended for brackets, wire channels and shields.
The TPE 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.
Molding tests and existing portfolio
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.
The new post-consumer recyclate 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.