Asahi Kasei developing new TPEs for recyclable automotive parts

Düsseldorf, Germany – Asahi Kasei will exhibit a new thermoplastic elastomer for improved recyclability of automotive interior parts at Fakuma 2024 polymer industry expo, 15-19 Oct in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Achieving a good balance between sustainability and functionality without sacrificing cost-competitiveness is a major issue for car makers, the Japanese group noted in a 3 Sept release.

To tackle this challenge, Asahi Kasei said it is now developing a “tailor-designed thermoplastic styrene block copolymer (SEBS) grade for automotive interior surfaces, which require good haptics and soft touch.”

Conventional approaches use different materials and production technologies for skin, foam and core layers in automotive instrument panels, door panels, armrests or centre consoles, the release noted.

According to Asahi Kasei, its new SEBS material is suitable for both skin and foam layers, which can be moulded in one step using a ‘core back’ injection process.

Connection to the polypropylene-based core layer is possible in the same or separate injection moulding step, the company adding that “the strong chemical bonding between all layers eliminates the need for additional adhesive layers.”

The new SEBS, concluded Asahi Kasei, “contributes to reducing the total number of materials, simplifying the manufacturing process, and improving the recyclability of interior components.”