THERMOPLASTIC ELASTOMERS | MATERIALS
Recent developments in TPEs include new automotive grades that incorporate recyclate, ways to develop better 2K components and antimicrobial compounds for medical use
Flexible approach: advances in TPEs
Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) are critical to many injection moulding applications, not least in the automotive sector – where, to add complica- tion, manufacturers are under pressure to use more recyclate in their vehicles. Avient recently extended its Resound REC
range of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) – which contain recycled content – with a range for automo- tive interiors. Its new AF 7210 grades are aimed at applica- tions such as mats, grips and console trays and supports proposed targets from the European Commission on the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive – stipulating that a minimum of 25% of plastics used in vehicles sold after 2030 must come from post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials. The new grades contain 51-59% recycled content, with a minimum of 37% from PCR sources, including
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closed-loop feedstock. They provide comparable performance to 100% virgin equivalents and meet various OEM specifications, says Avient – while offering an 8-18% reduction in product carbon footprint (PCF) compared to virgin grades. “Using recycled and more sustainable materials has long been a focus in the automotive industry,” said Matt Mitchell, director of global marketing for speciality engineered materials at Avient. “These new grades offer over the minimum 25% recycled content required by the directive, helping custom- ers towards compliance.” The grades are available in hardnesses of 43-90
Shore A and can be used for overmoulding onto polypropylene (PP) substrates. They have good UV stability and meet standards for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fogging, making them acceptable for use in interior automotive applications.
Main imagee: Avient has extended its Resound REC range of TPEs with a range for automotive interiors
� September/October 2024 | INJECTION WORLD 21
IMAGE: AVIENT
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