Compounder Hexpol (Malmö / Sweden; www.hexpol.com) has expanded its range of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials – which were already launched on the market in 2019 – with the new “Dryflex Circular TPE” grades that use recycled content.

The grades have been tested for odour and emissions performance in automotive interiors, where material odour should not be unpleasant even at higher temperatures, around 80° Celsius. A representative Dryflex Circular TPE grade – a 65 Shore A material for inlay mats with a recyclate content of 20% – showed a very low amount of VOC (60 μg/g) and FOG (594 μg/g). Test results also showed that the material has almost no odour (grade 2.0 according to VDA 270, B3). The mechanical properties fulfil automotive requirements, and colourability is possible.

The material, currently being approved by a German car manufacturer, can be used in interior applications such as inlay mats, cup holders, sealing lips and heating-ventilation-air conditioning (HVAC) parts.