Hexpol announced that the company's Dryflex Green thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) product line has been expanded, adding some new grades.
The series now includes grades based on styrene block copolymer (TPS) and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) technology, with a renewable content of more than 90% (ASTM D 6866-12) and hardness from 15 Shore A to 60 Shore D. The new TPEs are recyclable, they are easy to color, and the raw materials that can be used comply with food contact regulations.
Hexpol developed this series of products to provide a more sustainable alternative to traditional oil-based plastics. The raw materials of its Dryflex Green TPE compound come from renewable resources, such as products and by-products from agriculture, which are rich in carbohydrates, especially sugars.
Although these compounds are derived from plants and vegetable crops, as a simple solution, they not only have mechanical and physical properties comparable to those of fossil raw material TPE compounds, but also do not require tool modification. They also show very good bonding properties to PE and PP, and there are special grades that can bond with ABS, PC/ABS and PET.
Klas Dannäs, Hexpol TPE's global R&D manager, said Hexpol will continue to work to expand its portfolio of resource-saving materials. "We continue to try new raw material combinations and further test the possibility of Dryflex Green TPE compounds."
Various new brands of automotive interior applications have also been tested and comply with requirements and regulations related to atomization, odor and VOC emissions. Suggested applications for these compounds include floor mats, cup holder liners, panels, decorative and inlay mats.