Avant introduces new recycled TPE products to the Asian market, expanding the use of recycled materials in automobiles

December 2, 2024 - Avant Group, a professional and sustainable provider of materials solutions and services, today announced the launch of reSound™ REC thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) AF 7210 with recycled ingredients to the Asian market. The new TPE product, which consists of 25-55% post-consumer recyclable (PCR) material, was first launched in the European market earlier this year. As a complement to the existing PCR polypropylene (PP) encapsulation molding products, the new products have been developed specifically for automotive interior applications such as foot pads, grips and center console trays. The launch of these new products in the Asian market will also help meet the relevant end-of-life vehicle recycling and regulatory requirements in the region.
"Over the past decade, Asian automotive manufacturers have gradually increased the use of PCR-containing plastics in automotive interiors, which has greatly increased the demand for PCR thermoplastic elastomer solutions, especially those that can achieve excellent coating and forming results on high-performance polymers such as PP." "Our latest reSound REC AF 7210 TPE series responds to this market trend in time to help meet upcoming regulatory changes in export markets," said Matt Mitchell, Global Marketing Director, Specialty Engineered Materials, Evant. For example, the European Union's latest proposed ELV directive requires an increase in the content of recycled materials in plastic components.
Extensive testing of our new PCR reSound REC products in the laboratory and in real-world applications has been carried out with automotive OEM partners, and the results fully meet the requirements of automotive interior related applications. They also achieve low odors and fog levels while meeting strict VOC limit specifications. They have also passed xenon lamp and environmental aging tests, and after short-term (6 hours at 100°C) and long-term (500 hours at 90°C) thermal aging tests, there are no visible defects, deformations or adhesions.
In addition, Avant can use its own carbon footprint (PCF) calculator to provide carbon footprint values for new and other products. Avant's carbon footprint (PCF) calculators have been developed according to ISO 14067:2018 and are third-party certified by TUV Rhewe.
Developed specifically for injection molding, the new product provides long-lasting bonding properties in PP encapsulation molding and is available in natural and custom colors with A hardness range of 40 to 80 (Shore hardness A).