Automotive OEMs are under increasing pressure to incorporate more recycled content into their vehicles, but interior applications remain challenging.

Conventional polypropylene solutions with recycled content often fall short in colorability, odor and emissions performance, and consistency, which can affect both mechanical performance and processing.

To address these constraints, Teknor Apex introduces Crealen R with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content for automotive interior applications.

Teknor Apex’s Crealen R with PCR content for automotive interior applications.

“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.

Performance comparable to conventional PP with recycled content

Crealen R brings together the performance, sustainability, and reliability expected for demanding automotive interior applications, with verified, traceable sourcing from a controlled, high-quality PCR stream.

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 is also engineered to meet demanding requirements for odor, emissions, fogging, and mechanical performance in automotive interiors.

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, and with one grade delivering up to a 79% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to virgin reinforced PP.

Crealen R5-8M8HS incorporates >50% PCR content and delivers a 79% reduction in CO₂e emissions compared to its virgin counterpart. This reduction is based on third-party reviewed Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data.

Suitable for injection molding

Crealen R grades are suitable for injection molding of automotive interior components, including visible and semi-visible trim and HVAC components. Processing is comparable to virgin reinforced PP grades, with consistent behavior supported by the controlled, high-quality PCR stream.