Recycled materials for exterior auto applications

KRAIBURG TPE is presenting a new series of compounds that will enable European OEMs to still use optimum materials for exterior automotive applications in the future. The highlight: With at least a 20% proportion of post-industrial recycled materials, the compounds meet the OEMs’ high requirements and contribute to building a circular plastics economy.

At first sight, the European OEMs’ sustainability strategies are as diverse as their product ranges – but a closer look shows that they all share the same basic idea: promoting the establishment of a regenerative economic system and reducing CO2 emissions. Plastics play a decisive role here, as the recyclability of the materials makes a positive contribution to the project. To support OEMs in taking first steps in this direction, KRAIBURG TPE is introducing a new compound series for exterior automotive applications that allows the suppliers to manufacture components in the usual and required quality.

KRAIBURG TPE has made intensive efforts to understand the future requirements of European OEMs and is now presenting a new RC/UV series. It is targeted to meet the high requirements for OEMs’ automotive exteriors such as weathering resistance and a high surface quality, using a proportion of post-industrial recycled materials ranging from a minimum of 20% to a maximum of 40%. These product solutions will enable suppliers to replace current components with recycled materials-based thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and thus to make a contribution to the circular plastics economy.

The main target of development has been achieved: the highest possible proportion of recycled materials in the individual hardness ranges. Adhesion to polypropylene enables the implementation of single-component and multicomponent parts. The low density of the new compound series allows weight reductions of up to 25% as compared to conventional TPEs. As an overall package, the properties of the new series are effective relative to the environmental aspect that the suppliers are focusing on. The RC/UV series is particularly suited for exterior, underside and under-the-hood areas of automobiles. Target applications for the new solutions include water tank covers, air duct parts, wheel arch liners, drip rails and window encapsulations.

Further technical details: Hardness range from 50 to 90 Shore A; Proportion of post-industrial recycled materials from 20% to 40%; Ozone and weathering stability in accordance with OEM requirements; and Thermal stability of up to 90 °C.

“To take the first steps towards a more sustainable automobile, the plastics industry needs to not only think about moving towards the circular economy but also has to take action. Solutions are needed that meet the high quality standards of OEMs and overcome challenges such as supply security and reliability,” says Matthias Michl, Head of Automotive Application Development at KRAIBURG TPE. “KRAIBURG TPE meets this standard with our new UV/RC series. We want to proceed toward sustainable applications together with our customers.”

The compounds are now available in black.