US compounder and distributor Avient (Avon Lake, Ohio; www.avient.com) launched two new grades of its “reSound R” recycled content thermoplastic elastomers (rTPE) that contain 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content from polyvinyl butyral (PVB) reclaimed from broken automotive windshields and laminated architectural glass.

The two new reSound R grades were developed with either 45 or 55 Shore A durometer, come in a natural colour and can be injection-moulded. They offer properties similar to traditional TPEs and can be over-moulded to polypropylene. IThe grades are also suitable for manufacturing general purpose durable consumer goods products and automotive applications with a vibration damping requirement.

Avient is supplying the reclaimed PVB through a collaboration with Shark Solutions (Roskilde / Denmark; www.shark-solutions.com), a specialist in sustainable PVB interlayers found within windscreens, safety glass and architectural/building glass. The company says thousands of tonnes of PVB can be found in the inner layer of an estimated 75m automotive windshields that break and are replaced each year. Earlier in 2021, Avient had launched TPE grades with high recycled content in Asia, Europe and the US (see Plasteurope.com of 14.04.2021).