MATERIALS | THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS


as well as certain FDA food-contact items, such as reusable crates. It is naturally grey and can be coloured. “This FDA evaluation should boost OEM and consumer confidence in incorporating recycled materials into products that face stringent regula- tory controls,” says Matt Mitchell at Avient. Hexpol TPE has also expanded its offering of


grades with recycled content. The new Dryflex Circular TPE grades have been tested for odour and emissions performance in automotive interiors. The Dryflex Circular TPE range was launched in


2019. Recycled polymers from various sources, including PCR as well as post-industrial recyclate (PIR) are used. Thomas Köppl at Hexpol TPE says recent developments resulted in the company bringing the first TPE with recycled content for automotive interior applications to the market. An important aspect of automotive interior parts is their emission behaviour regarding odour and volatile substances. The exact specifications and requirements vary depending on application and OEM, but in general terms, there should be no disturbing odour, even at elevated temperatures (possibly as high as 80°C). A representative Dryflex Circular TPE grade, a 65


Shore A material for inlay mats with a recyclate content of 20%, shows a very low amount of VOC (60μg/g) and FOG (594μg/g). The TPE was tested at an external accredited laboratory and shown to have almost no odour (grade 2.0 according to VDA 270, B3). The mechanical properties fulfil automo- tive requirements, and colourability is possible. The material is currently being approved by a German car manufacturer. The recyclate used in the new grades is PIR, typically injection moulding sprues or edge trims in extrusions, all of it sourced locally in Europe. Hexpol says it takes material with high levels of


consistency and purity. The new Dryflex Circular TPEs can be used in various automotive interior applications such as inlay mats, cup holders, sealing lips and HVAC parts. Hexpol TPE has received the ISCC Plus certifica- tion to produce TPE materials with certified bio +/or


Left: Pen and razor maker Bic teamed up with Avient when it wanted to incorporate more recycled materials in a new women’s razor. The ReSound R grade it chose has a 62%


recycled content. For the Bic Soleil Click 5 handle, the TPE is co-injection moulded with a transparent plastic that also has


recycled content, giving a total recycled content of over 40%. Bic says it is committed to using 50% of non-virgin petroleum plastics for its products by 2030


16 INJECTION WORLD | May 2022


Above: The therapy ball’s TPE skin houses the lights, speaker, sensors and electronics


Icho Systems chooses Mediprene TPE for therapy ball


Hexpol TPE recently collaborated with Icho Systems, which develops interactive therapy and systems for people with cognitive diseases, to create the ichó therapy ball; it was developed to promote cognitive and motor skills in a playful way. The ball can react with coloured lights,


vibrations, and sounds, with reactions individu- ally adaptable to the needs of the user. Current application areas include people with dementia and children, with a special focus on learning for people with autism. The ichó therapy ball is constructed from an injection moulded outer skin which houses the lights, speaker, sensors and electronics. Medi- prene TPE was selected due to its soft-touch haptics and good light permeability. The material also needs to be easily cleaned. Mediprene TPEs are resistant to the most common cleaning fluids used in the healthcare environment.


Since the ichó therapy ball was launched, it


has already gathered an impressive list of awards in Germany and Europe for its novel design and social impact.


www.injectionworld.com


IMAGE: ICHO SYSTEMS


IMAGE: BIC


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