Rondoplast, a subsidiary of Swedish compounder Polykemi (Ystad; www.polykemi.se), has developed a recycled flame retardant material for applications in the railway industry. The material fulfils the German railway standard DIN 53438 used, for example, by Deutsche Bahn, and its flame retardancy makes it suitable for use in cable ducting in railway systems.

“Rezycom” PP R15000 FR uses a specifically formulated mix of flame retardants, overcoming potential problems with using recycled materials that can suppress fire retardancy. The company said the grade will compete with virgin materials together with secondary raw materials and a flame retardant master batch. The cable duct installations run parallel to railway lines and large volumes are required over long distances, making the cost-effectiveness of the recycled material attractive.

Other applications involving components of all thicknesses are also possible, and when tested to UL94-standard, the material has a stable V2 rating from a very low thickness up to the practical limits of most parts considered for injection moulding, the company said. Rondoplast will be exhibiting the material at the “Fakuma 2014” (www.fakuma-messe.de) plastics processing trade fair, to be held from 14 to 18 October in Friedrichshafen / Germany.