Hexpol reorganisation groups TPEs in Thermoplastics business

Malmo, Sweden – Hexpol AB has combined its growing thermoplastics activities with its thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) operations as part of a broader organisational change that will see the Swedish group increase its focus on thermoplastics.

The move will make it easier for customers to access material expertise and accelerate R&D, regulatory and sustainable development projects, said Hexpol in a statement 4 March.

Under the new structure, the group is now organised into three business areas, Hexpol Rubber Compounding, Hexpol Thermoplastics and Hexpol Engineered Products, it confirmed to ERJ.

By uniting their TPE and thermoplastic teams, Hexpol said it can offer “ready-tested material combinations for multi-component applications.”

According to Hexpol, the multi-component process can be challenging with the addition of reinforcement, such as glass fibre or flame-retardant additives, while achieving adhesion synchronised materials becomes even more difficult with the increased use of recycled content.

The new Thermoplastics organisation, said the group, will develop and test material combinations that ensure chemical compatibility and adhesion performance.

The Thermoplastics business will include 14 sites across America, China and Europe:

• almaak international with two sites in Germany.
• Hexpol TPE with six sites in Sweden, the UK, Germany, China and the US
• McCann Plastics with two sites in the US
• Piedmont Resin Supply in the US
• RheTech with three sites in the US

Combined, their portfolio covers over 20 thermoplastic materials groups:
• Engineering Thermoplastics, including PA, PC, ABS, ASA, PBT and their blends
• Polyolefins, including glass, mineral and natural fibre reinforced PP and PE
• Colour masterbatch and performance additives
• Rotomoulding compounds, alloys and pulverized powders
• TPEs based on TPS, TPO, TPV, TPU, TPC and soft PVC

“We apply our materials knowhow and decades of experience to help customers turn ideas into products,” said Jan Wikstroem, president Hexpol Thermoplastics.

While the thermoplastics business is growing, Wikstroem said the goal was not “just scale.”

“It is about improving material performance and pushing boundaries. We are meeting challenges with proven solutions tailored to application, technology and sustainability targets,” he added.

Hexpol said its TPE and thermoplastic materials are used in applications such as mobility, infrastructure, energy, consumer and medical.

Automotive and circularity are “a major focus” of the business unit, with companies having a “long experience” working with recycled materials.

Among others, the business offers a portfolio of materials with approvals from automotive OEMs, including BMW, Ford, Geely, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Volvo and VW.

It also supplies materials for applications, such as medical devices, toys, and food contact, with its TPE production site in Sweden claimed to be “the first producer in Europe” to achieve ISO 13485 certification for the medical device industry.