Automotive OEMs are under pressure to increase the use of recycled materials in vehicles, but interior applications continue to present challenges. Conventional polypropylene (PP) materials containing recycled content can face limitations in color consistency, odor, emissions performance and consistency, which may affect processing and mechanical performance. Crealen R by Teknor Apex was developed to address these issues.
Crealen R7-EP8G4HS3 incorporates up to 70% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, with third-party verified, traceable sourcing from a controlled, high-quality PCR stream. Crealen R5-8M8HS contains more than 50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and delivers a 79% reduction in COâ‚‚e emissions compared with its virgin equivalent, based on third-party reviewed Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data.
“In automotive interiors, increasing recycled content only creates value if the material can also meet the requirements of the application,” said Patty Mishic O’Brien, chief sustainability officer at Teknor Apex. “Crealen R was developed to help close that gap with a solution designed for both sustainability and performance, reinforcing Teknor Apex’s expertise in bringing those priorities together for demanding automotive applications.”
Use in visible interior components
In visible automotive interior applications, material selection has been constrained by the limitations of conventional PCR solutions, particularly in colorability and interior air-quality performance.
Unlike conventional PCR materials, Crealen R maintains colorability comparable to virgin reinforced PP, enabling light colors and consistent surface appearance in visible automotive interior components. The series has also been engineered to meet demanding requirements for odor, emissions, fogging and mechanical performance.
Crealen R grades meet Daimler interior material specifications, including DBL 1000, DBL 1224 and DBL 5307.10, supporting use in performance-critical applications. In addition, recycled content is verified through RecyClass for transparent, traceable sourcing.
“Development of the series was led in Europe, where the market has seen stronger pull for recycled-content solutions in automotive applications,” added Jan Duyfjes, commercial director, Europe, Teknor Apex. “By meeting some of the most stringent interior material specifications, Crealen R demonstrates that sustainability progress does not have to come at the expense of performance.”
The product grades are suitable for injection molding of automotive interior components, including visible and semi-visible trim and heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) components. Processing is comparable to virgin reinforced PP grades, with consistent behavior supported by the controlled, high-quality PCR stream.
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