Representatives of the global plastics industry will gather in Düsseldorf to participate in the 2019 Chinaplas (K 2019). The global polymer manufacturer HEXPOL TPE will display the slogan "soft, safe and sustainable" at this exhibition and show the latest R & D products. The company's heavyweight products include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) product line containing recycled components. The latest TPE products will be sold under the Dryflex Circular brand name.
Kirsty Wood, an R & D technology expert and head of sustainability at HEXPOL TPE in the UK, commented: "A series of changes are taking place in the polymer industry, and we are all more aware of the impact our products and operations have on the environment. Consumers are more than ever It is clearer how plastic products will be disposed of at the end of use: they may be recycled, incinerated, landfilled, or thrown into the sea. We have noticed that our customers set a higher "green" goal and have a sense of environmental responsibility It is also increasing, hoping to use compounds that have less impact on the environment. Therefore, the market demand for recycled materials in line with the concept of circular economy is rising. We also have this sense of responsibility, and we are happy to show that our lineup is expanding at this exhibition. Of TPE products containing recyclable ingredients. "
According to different sources of recycled materials, Dryflex Circular products are divided into multiple series, which helps to clarify the source of materials. According to the definition of International Organization for Standardization 14021: 2016, there are currently product lines based on the following sources of recycled materials:
POst Industrial Recyclate (also known as Pre Consumer)
Recycled materials originate from the waste stream in the production process, but do not include rework, regrind materials or debris generated during the production process, and are produced by a production process, but can be recycled into the production process material.
POst Consumer Recyclate (PCR)
Recycled materials generated by end users of residential households or commercial, industrial, and public institutions as products (no longer able to meet the intended use).
Dryflex Circular thermoplastic elastomer has a wide range of hardness (minimum 40 Shore A), the proportion of components recovered by weight can be as high as 80%. Dryflex Circular TPE series products are produced according to the International Standards Organization 9001 and 14001 standards, and all products comply with RoHS, REACH and SVHC standards.
For product development, Klas Dannäs, global R & D manager of HEXPOL TPE, added: “We sold the first batch of TPE products based on recycled ingredients in 2005. These products were originally developed to meet the needs of the automotive industry because the automotive industry must be more extensive Recycled products are used locally and must follow the European Union ’s “Technical Directive on End-of-Life Vehicles.” During this period, the plastics and recycling industries have undergone significant changes. To meet changing needs, we have developed the Dryflex Circular TPE product portfolio. The new formula products include multiple grades based on a series of recycled materials. We are currently developing new technologies. This provides our customers with more choices and helps create a more sustainable plastics industry. "
Application field
Currently, Dryflex PCR grades are only available in black. Products are mainly used in automotive exteriors, such as fenders, car ladders and wheel arch linings. Products of these brands can also be used in outdoor equipment such as lawn mower wheels or safety fences. Dryflex PIR grades are available in natural colors, allowing for a more varied design. Products are mainly used in consumer products, sports equipment, footwear, household and automotive applications.
Dryflex Circular: Examples of PCR grade products
The recycled materials for Dryflex PCR grades include polypropylene recovered from end-of-life vehicles (including automotive interior and exterior).
Dryflex Circular: PIR grade example
Dryflex PIR grades of recycled materials include materials from the waste stream during the production of consumer, construction, and home products (including baby products).
Dannäs concluded: "More and more companies are learning from us about sustainable materials, including our Dryflex Green plant-based soft plastics and the latest Dryflex Circular TPE products containing recycled ingredients. This is what HEXPOL TPE is really good at. The field is also the field we love. "