HEXPOL has broadened its automotive materials range with thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers that incorporate post-consumer recyclate (PCR), a portfolio that includes grades carrying more than 80 percent recycled content.
The compounds were introduced at Fakuma 2026 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, according to a company press release dated Oct. 12. The lineup spans PC/ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), reinforced polypropylene (PP) and thermoplastic elastomers (TPE).
Recycled content varies with polymer type, application requirements and material availability, ranging from 10 percent to more than 80 percent. Several grades also contain more than 25 percent end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recyclate. The materials were developed by HEXPOL's almaak, RheTech and TPE businesses and are intended for automotive interior and exterior components.
Target parts include center consoles, trim, bumper brackets, inlay mats, sidesteps, mudflaps, grommets, electronic housings and components that damp noise and vibration. HEXPOL says the compounds are formulated to help automakers meet requirements for recycled plastics while maintaining consistent material 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 (VOC) 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 under ASTM D903 showed peel strength above 5 newtons per millimeter, HEXPOL said.
Grades for specific 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 grade is already in serial production with the Volkswagen Group for its Cupra brand. Anjacom ABS R050/7020 PCR, also with 30 percent recycled content, targets interiors, bumper brackets and glovebox covers.
Other grades include Rhecomp RCT230-00, a polypropylene compound reinforced with 20 percent talc that contains 80 percent post-consumer recyclate, and Rhecomp RCG230-00, a glass fiber-reinforced polypropylene grade with 40 percent recycled content. Both are intended for brackets, wire channels and shields.
In the TPE portfolio, Dryflex PCR 753468-3 is a thermoplastic styrene elastomer containing 75 percent post-consumer recyclate for inlay mats, while Dryflex PCW 90A331B is 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 based on post-industrial recyclate.
At Fakuma, HEXPOL TPE exhibited in Hall B1, stand 1117, while almaak was located in Hall B2, stand 2214.