KRAIBURG TPE's new TPE product has a post-industrial (PIR) recovery rate of up to 38%, depending on hardness, and is approved for use in automotive interiors. The company's new interior PIR TPE grades are said to provide the automotive market with a reliable, sustainable alternative to virgin material solutions. The company says the broad hardness range combined with excellent product performance allows for easy integration into target market segments.

KRAIBURG TPE's PIR materials for the production of compounds for sustainable automotive interior applications are waste from other companies' plastic product production processes. Target applications include non-slip mats, floor mats, flexible parts in cup holders, and fixing elements. This series is also suitable for other applications requiring a hardness range between 60 and 90 Shore A.

The material reportedly meets stringent OEM emissions and odor requirements, and can be combined with PP in co-injection applications, or used as a single soft part solution. In addition, interior PIR TPE has good abrasion resistance and excellent flow, while being low in density to keep part weight to a minimum.

To support customers in implementing their sustainability projects, KRAIBURG TPE is now able to provide the Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) of TPE compounds. This can give customers a decisive competitive advantage and is part of the TPE manufacturer's service package. The product carbon footprint quantifies the CO2 footprint "from cradle to gate". A product's Global Warming Potential (GWP) is calculated, indicating how much the product contributes to global warming from raw material extraction to product production. Manufacturers need this number to assess the carbon footprint of their components and ultimately the carbon footprint of the entire vehicle. KRAIBURG TPE claims complete transparency when assessing the carbon footprint of its products and calculates the values according to the Greenhouse Gas Protocol according to DIN EN ISO 14067 and DIN EN ISO 14044.