Sustainability | HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE awarded ISCC PLUS certification in Germany

jillbradford — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 14:20:22 +0000

HEXPOL TPE awarded ISCC PLUS certification in Germany

The compounding group HEXPOL TPE has added to its credentials: The International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) was awarded to their site in Lichtenfels, Germany, in October.

ISCC PLUS is a global certification scheme providing traceability along the supply chain and guarantees correct and transparent use of the mass balance approach. All companies along the supply chain undergo the ISCC PLUS audit process, meaning when HEXPOL TPE purchases ISCC PLUS-certified raw materials, all upstream entities will have been verified. Sustainability declarations create a chain of custody from origin through to the brand owner.

Mass balance allows for a gradual increase of the non-virgin fossil share of polymer compounds with the target to reduce the use of fossil raw materials step by step. The certification allows HEXPOL TPE to produce ISCC PLUS certified bio, circular and/or bio circular attributed TPE materials via the mass balance approach.

We are pleased to add ISCC PLUS certified TPEs to our growing portfolio of biobased, biocomposite and soft polymer compounds with recycled content. This achievement further underscores HEXPOL TPE’s commitment to sustainability and enabling the defossiliation of the polymer industry.

– Jochen Schneider, Managing Director HEXPOL TPE GmbH

Mass balance versions of the Dryflex portfolio of TPE (TPS, TPO and TPU) materials will be available. Also in scope are the Epseal TPEs designed for food and beverage sealing applications. The mass balance TPEs offer a drop-in material alternative for customers. The technical properties, chemical composition and regulatory status will be the same as the corresponding fossil grade.

For our customers working in highly regulated markets such as care, food contact, toys and baby products, ISCC PLUS certification is an important step. It means we can replace the fossil polymers in our compounds with the mass-balanced version to create a one-to-one replacement. This is because the mass balance versions use raw materials with bio, circular or bio-circular characteristics, but which have the same quality, processability and purity as those of fossil origin.

– Dr. Kevin Ament, product safety and ISCC coordination at HEXPOL TPE GmbH

This expands the mass balance offering from the HEXPOL TPE group following the ISCC PLUS certification awarded to their Swedish site in 2021.

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE is an international polymer compounding group specialising in Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) for key industries such as consumer, medical, packaging, automotive and construction. We were among the 1st companies to produce TPEs in Europe, and more than 50 years later, the possibilities continue to inspire us – yes, we're self-confessed TPE freaks! Our international teams work with customers around the world, developing new polymer combinations and creating customised materials that are safer, more durable, more sustainable. As part of the HEXPOL Group of companies, we share an extensive global footprint. Covering Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, enabling us to support our customers worldwide.

HEXPOL TPE x Polykemi

nahim — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 13:14:34 +0000

HEXPOL TPE x Polykemi

The Swedish compounders, HEXPOL TPE AB and Polykemi AB, have collaborated on a 2K sustainable development project that reduced the product carbon footprint for consumer products.

Making a material selection can be a complicated task when designing consumer products. There are many properties to balance, and the choice is even more complex when including eco-design principles. Selecting two materials for a 2K part is not doubling the difficulty; it is squared. To help with this decision, HEXPOL TPE and Polykemi has teamed up to enable combinations based on properties and sustainability targets.

To demonstrate the possibilities in reducing the product carbon footprint, increasing recyclability and optimising adhesion, Polykemi’s Materialsmart® meets HEXPOL TPE’s Sustainable Materials Lab to create tested solutions.

Henrik Palokangas, sustainability specialist at Polykemi and Klas Dannäs, sustainability director at HEXPOL TPE.

Henrik Palokangas, sustainability specialist at Polykemi, commented, “Making an informed choice is key when decarbonising and making the consequences clear is the first step on this journey”.

HEXPOL TPE and Polykemi have done substantial work in the field of sustainability, allowing them to provide cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) and calculate the Global Warming Potential (GWP) per kg of material.

The PCF data shows that switching from a combination using fossil-based ABS from Polykemi, overmoulded with a fossil-based TPE from HEXPOL TPE, to a recycled PP and TPE with bio-circular attributed content, can give a 77% reduction in CO2e. This combination can also bring advantages when considering end-of-life and recycling compatibility.

Combinations using mechanically recycled ABS with bio-circular attributed TPE were also tested, which gave a 57% reduction in CO2e compared to the fully fossil-based equivalents. The TPE is bio-circular attributed via the mass balance approach using 2nd generation feedstocks.

“To bring real change and deliver the needed transition of the plastics industry, we must collaborate. This project is about taking our collective know-how to enable combinations with the lowest carbon footprint and highest recyclability possible. While also giving assurance on the materials adhesion performance and durability”.

– Klas Dannäs, sustainability director at HEXPOL TPE

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE is an international polymer compounding group specialising in Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) for key industries such as consumer, medical, packaging, automotive and construction.

We were among the 1st companies to produce TPEs in Europe, and more than 50 years later, the possibilities continue to inspire us – yes, we’re self-confessed TPE freaks!

Our international teams work with customers around the world, developing new polymer combinations and creating customised materials that are safer, more durable, more sustainable. As part of the HEXPOL Group of companies, we share an extensive global footprint. Covering Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America, enabling us to support our customers worldwide.

HEXPOL TPE Contact for Press Enquiries

Jill Bradford
Group Marketing & PR Manager, HEXPOL TPE
jill.bradford@hexpolTPE.com

About Polykemi Group

Since its beginning in 1968, Polykemi’s mission has been the same: to strive to develop and produce the best customer adapted plastic compounds in the world.

Polykemi Group consists of Polykemi AB, Rondo Plast AB, and Scanfill AB, all based in Ystad, Sweden, as well as Polykemi Compounds Kunshan and Chongqing in China, Polykemi Inc. in Gastonia, NC, USA, and a number of sales companies around the world. With multiple factories in Sweden, China and the USA, we have production on three continents and provides customers worldwide with customized plastic compounds based on both virgin and recycled raw materials of the highest quality.

Since its inception, the family-owned business has helped numerous customers in various industries to select the right materials for their specific products. www.polykemi.com

Polykemi contact for Press Enquiries
Mia Persson
Communications & Marketing
mia.persson@polykemi.se

Dryflex WS Hydrophilic TPE with Recycled Content

nahim — Thu, 04 May 2023 11:38:23 +0000

Dryflex WS Hydrophilic TPE with Recycled Content

To enable the shift away from virgin feedstocks and help keep valuable materials in circulation, we have developed variants of our Dryflex WS Hydrophilic Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) that incorporate recycled content.

The recycled content is sourced from Post Industrial Recyclate (PIR), which is material diverted from the waste stream during the manufacturing process, as defined by ISO 14021. This excludes materials like rework, regrind, or scrap that can be reclaimed within the same process that generated them.

Dryflex WS TPEs contain hydrophilic particles that exhibit controlled swelling when immersed in water, followed by contraction when the water is removed, allowing for repeated expansion and contraction cycles.

The controlled swelling and water-retention properties of Dryflex WS hydrophilic TPEs is beneficial in applications where you want to stop the ingress or exit of water.

Dryflex WS TPEs can now incorporate up to 35% recycled content, although the percentage may vary depending on the desired swell level. Generally, higher swell levels may result in lower levels of recycled content.

Annual Report with Sustainability Report 2022

jillbradford — Wed, 26 Apr 2023 16:41:06 +0000

The HEXPOL Annual Report for 2022 with Sustainability Report is now available

I am proud of how well we continued to tackle global challenges in 2022. Our strong business model has once again been excellently executed by skilled and dedicated employees worldwide.

– Georg Brunstam, President and CEO

Download the Sustainability Report for in-depth insights

TPE Academy – TPE with Recycled Content for Automotive

nahim — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 12:17:51 +0000

TPE with Recycled Content for Automotive

Do you want to support the shift away from virgin materials while meeting the requirements of the automotive industry?

In this 30-minute TPE Academy web seminar, you’ll learn how to keep valuable materials in circulation, reduce product carbon footprints and work towards ELV directive targets.

Content includes:

PIR and PCR Recyclate Sources
Material Performance
Automotive Testing + Compliance
Product Carbon Footprints
Q+A

When + Where:

Thursday, 27 April at 11:00 CEST (German)
Thursday, 27 April at 15:00 CEST (English)

See you there!

HEXPOL TPE Enables the Shift to Recycled Content for Household Goods

nahim — Fri, 17 Feb 2023 07:57:21 +0000

Durable TPE with Recycled Content is Key for SAUBA’s Bristle-Free Toilet Brushes

The LOOWY toilet brushes from SAUBA (https://sauba.net/ueber-loowy/) are designed to offer eye-catching style blades instead of bristles for hygiene, renewable and recycled materials and German production.

The special blades make the toilet brush easier to keep clean, but if needed, the blade heads are designed to be easy to replace. They are available in different sizes. To match brand aesthetics and all kinds of bathroom designs, the LOOWY are available in various colours.

Two critical requirements for the materials used to make LOOWY are durability and sustainability.

Kathrin Heilmann, sales at HEXPOL TPE GmbH, explained, “We’re working hard to turn waste into a resource and help keep valuable materials in circulation. We take recycled polymers (in this application, using Post Industrial Recylate) and incorporate them into the Dryflex Circular range of TPEs. This makes it an ideal fit with SAUBA`s ambition to produce more resource-efficiently and reduce the amount of waste.

Post Industrial Recyclate (PIR) is material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. Excluded is the reutilisation of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it.

For the LOOWY toilet brush, the TPE also needed to be strong but with a low hardness to give the required flexibility and cleaning performance. The TPE needed to be easy to process and recyclable in closed-loop systems, with the possibility to rework any process scrap.

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE Launch Medical Mass Balance Thermoplastic Elastomers

nahim — Mon, 14 Nov 2022 10:49:18 +0000

HEXPOL TPE Launch Medical Mass Balance Thermoplastic Elastomers

At the COMPAMED 2022 exhibition, HEXPOL TPE officially launched their medical TPEs with bio-attributed content according to the mass balance principle. Adding to their growing portfolio of materials that enable a shift away from fossil feedstocks.

Mass balance allows for a gradual increase of the bio-circular share using existing infrastructure with the target to reduce the use of fossil resources step by step. It is an approach to account for materials entering and leaving a system. The bio-circular feedstock is added at the beginning of the process, traced through intermediate transformations, and allocated to the end product. As both bio-circular and fossil feedstocks are mixed, it is not possible to guarantee a specific concentration in the final product. This is comparable to ‘green’ electricity, where consumers cannot be sure the electricity they use has come directly from renewable sources, but the overall share of green electricity in the grid rises in step with demand.

HEXPOL TPE identified mass balance as a good option for their medical customers as the resulting TPE material is a drop-in solution with identical properties. This is because monomers from renewable sources, but with the same quality and purity as those of fossil origin, are used to make bio-circular polymers (through mass balance). HEXPOL TPE can replace the fossil polymers in their TPE compounds with the bio-attributed mass-balanced version to create a 1:1 replacement. The technical properties, chemical composition, and regulatory status of the mass balance TPE will be the same as the corresponding fossil-based material.

Annika Swanholm, medical development engineer at HEXPOL TPE, commented, “It’s important for us to support our medical customers as they address the sustainability of their products and help them make informed material choices. To be included as part of our Mediprene portfolio of medical TPEs, we must also ensure we uphold the highest levels of raw-material selection, regulatory compliance, traceability and change management”.

Third-party verification is required to audit the mass balance allocation and allow for correct product labelling. HEXPOL TPE’s Swedish site was among the first TPE compounders to achieve the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) last year. ISCC PLUS is a global certification scheme providing traceability along the supply chain and guarantees correct and transparent use of the mass balance approach. Certified companies must meet specific environmental and social standards, creating a chain of custody.

The new materials will form part of the Mediprene portfolio of TPEs for medical applications. Mass balance versions of their Mediprene 500M standard series are available, as well as customised grades. Typical applications include airway management, face masks, resealable membranes, IV systems, seals and connectors.

Inger Haag Olsson, medical development engineer at HEXPOL TPE, added, “These mass-balanced TPEs allow customers to meet performance requirements while ensuring the regulatory status and, at the same time, working towards their sustainability goals”.

HEXPOL TPE can provide cradle-to-gate Product Carbon Footprints (PCF) to further inform customers. HEXPOL TPE’s PCF methodology is built upon the principles of ISO 14067:2018 for the carbon footprint of products, which is associated with the principles and requirements of ISO standards 14040:2006 and 14044:2006 for life cycle assessment. The PCF provides CO2 equivalent data per kg of TPE, calculated from raw materials and their transportation, product manufacturing and packaging.

Mediprene medical TPEs with bio-attributed content according to the mass balance principle can be used in applications such as airway management, face masks, resealable membranes, IV systems, seals and connectors.

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE Awarded Carbon Literate Organisation Certification

nahim — Fri, 04 Nov 2022 06:56:06 +0000

HEXPOL TPE Awarded Carbon Literate Organisation Certification

In recognition of their work to train and implement Carbon Literacy, HEXPOL TPE has been awarded bronze Carbon Literate Organisation status by the Carbon Literacy Project for their site in Manchester, UK.

Carbon Literacy is a term used to describe an awareness of the carbon costs and impacts of everyday activities and the ability and motivation to reduce emissions on an individual, community and organisational basis. The term has had occasional use in scientific literature but now is almost exclusively associated with The Carbon Literacy Project.

The UN recognised the Carbon Literacy Project at COP21 in Paris, where it was awarded a TAP100, one of 100 worldwide Transformative Action Programs. The Project is based on the aim that if we are to cut our carbon emissions by the kind of reduction targets demanded of us by science by 2050, then we will need to change the culture as well as the technology. Carbon Literacy acts to educate, provides relevance and motivation, and also supplies tangible evidence of the growth of that low-carbon culture

The award recognises HEXPOL TPE’s creation of a bespoke Carbon Literacy education programme for its employees and the participation of its leadership. This accreditation shows that HEXPOL TPE is committed to Carbon Literacy and serious about establishing a low-carbon culture.

Jill Bradford, global marketing manager at HEXPOL TPE and Kirsty Wood, sustainability lead for HEXPOL TPE’s UK site, created the bespoke course, which was accredited to the Carbon Literacy Standard and they are delivering the training.

Mark Clayton, managing director at HEXPOL TPE Ltd, commented, “Carbon Literacy and carbon management is now a critical component of our strategy. I feel it’s incumbent on us to provide all our employees with the knowledge and tools they need to take significant actions. I’m happy we’ve already achieved bronze status, and it’s our intention to continue the implementation and work towards the next levels”.

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE Expands TPV Portfolio with Biobased and Recycled Materials

jillbradford — Tue, 04 Oct 2022 08:57:41 +0000

HEXPOL TPE Expands TPV Portfolio with Biobased and Recycled Materials

International TPE compounder HEXPOL TPE has added to their growing portfolio of resource-saving materials with the addition of biobased TPV and TPV containing recycled content.

Thermoplastic Vulcanisates (TPV) materials are typically used in applications requiring improved heat or fluid resistance. TPVs are compounds of PP and EPDM rubber which have been dynamically vulcanised during the compounding process. The vulcanisation process changes the structure of the rubber, making it more durable, improving its recovery to deformation and making it more resistant to the ingress of aggressive fluids such as oils and solvents.

Biobased TPV

The new biobased TPV materials will expand the Dryflex Green TPE range, which already includes TPS and TPO materials. Dryflex Green TPEs contain a percentage of raw materials from renewable resources such as plant and vegetable crops. They help to decrease the use of virgin fossil resources.

The Dryflex Green TPV materials are available in hardnesses 65 to 85 Shore A with amounts of biobased content up to around 25% (ASTM D 6866).

TPV with Recycled Content

The company has also added new TPV grades to their Dryflex Circular range of materials with recycled content. The recyclate source is PCR (Post Consumer Recyclate), including recycled PP from end-of-life vehicles. Other sources include household plastic waste.

Dryflex Circular TPVs are available with amounts of recycled content up to 28% (as defined in ISO 15343 section 4). Heat ageing, oil resistance and viscosity tests have been carried out. Dryflex Circular TPVs offer a broad service temperature range from -50 to +135 °C

The biobased and circular TPV materials can be processed on standard thermoplastic equipment, such as injection moulding and extrusion. They also offer superior bonding to polyolefins in multi-component processing. They can be recycled in closed-loop systems.

“I’m pleased to present our new TPV materials, adding to our growing portfolio of biobased and circular products,” commented Richard Hunter, development engineer at HEXPOL TPE’s UK site.

About HEXPOL TPE

HEXPOL TPE is an international polymer compounding group specialising in Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) materials for key industries such as consumer, medical, construction, electronics and automotive. Polymer compounding is a high-technology process that enhances material properties and performance by combining polymers with additional ingredients. HEXPOL TPE was among the 1st companies to produce TPEs in Europe. Today, more than 50 years later, they continue to work with companies around the world, developing new polymer combinations and creating customised materials that are safer, more durable, more sustainable. HEXPOL TPE is part of the HEXPOL Group, headquartered in Malmö, Sweden. The Group has approximately 5,100 employees in fourteen countries.

Sustainable Materials Lab at IZB 2022

nahim — Wed, 21 Sep 2022 15:24:44 +0000

HEXPOL TPE Present the Sustainable Materials Lab to the Automotive Market at IZB 2022

At the International Suppliers Fair (IZB) taking place in Wolfsburg, Germany, in October, HEXPOL TPE will bring their Sustainable Materials Lab for the first time.

“The Sustainable Materials Lab is about delivering extra value while lowering environmental impact“, explained Jill Bradford, global marketing manager for HEXPOL TPE. “That value comes from a support package which combines our materials and R&D capabilities, as well as our knowledge around carbon literacy and sustainability practices and importantly providing evidence such as product carbon footprints”.

Among the materials presented at IZB will be:

TPE Materials with Recycled Content

Through the controlled use of reliable post- and pre-consumer waste streams, it is now possible to realise the majority of soft automotive applications with recycled content. The Dryflex Circular TPE range enables applications in the field of air-water separation, as well as interior applications with demands around odour and VOC emissions. A representative Dryflex Circular TPE grade, a 65 Shore A material for inlay mats with a recyclate content of 20%, showed a very low amount of VOC (60 μg/g) and FOG (594 μg/g).

The Dryflex Circular TPE range includes materials with recycled content up to 60 % with a hardness range from 40 Shore A to 60 Shore D.

Biobased TPE

Dryflex Green is a family of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) compounds containing raw materials from renewable resources such as plant and vegetable crops. The product range includes grades based on Styrenic Block Copolymer (TPS), Thermoplastic Polyolefin (TPO) and Thermoplastic Vulcanisate (TPV) technologies. Dryflex Green TPEs are available with amounts of renewable content to over 90% (ASTM D 6866) with hardnesses from 15 Shore A to 60 Shore D.

Cork Biocomposite

Lifocork Biocomposite materials combine the haptics and optics of natural cork with the processability of plastics. Lifocork can be processed using thermoplastic processing methods. In injection moulding, it can be processed using standard equipment. Lifocork can also be processed in two-component moulding. It has an excellent bond to TPE, PP and PE.

It’s also possible to make foamed parts from Lifocork. This offers materials with very low densities (as low as 0.45 g/ccm), giving lightweight components.

High Flow TPE for Injection Moulded Panel and Skins

HEXPOL TPE introduced novel technology to the polymer industry with Dryflex HiF, a family of TPS-SEBS compounds for interior surfaces. The Dryflex HiF TPE materials are injection mouldable, making them an interesting alternative to PU coating, PVC slush moulding or TPO foil processes.

In a production trial, 1.1 mm thin skins for the soft surface of a complete instrument panel were moulded and back-foamed with PU. Demonstrating that even very large, thin parts can be produced via injection moulding due to the high flowability of the Dryflex HiF TPE.

“We’re working hard to support automotive companies as they address the sustainability of their products and help them make informed material choices. I’m looking forward to bringing these discussions to Wolfsburg as part of our Sustainable Materials Lab”, added Thomas Köppl, group product manager for HEXPOL TPE.

Visitors to IZB can learn more about The Sustainable Materials Lab from HEXPOL TPE in Hall 3, Stand 3502. The show runs from 11 to 13 October at Allerpark, Wolfsburg, Germany.