Simoldes Plastics and Elix Polymers have collaborated on the Simoldes Boost project, which aims to use recycled materials for premium vehicle interior applications.
Simoldes is a Portuguese mold and part maker headquartered in Oliveira de Azeméis, Portugal. They say they’re Europe’s largest mold maker, and their Mold Division supplies plastic injection molds for the whole automotive industry.
The goal of the Simoldes Boost project is to increase the use of renewable materials by 40 per cent during the development phase, focusing on materials with mechanical recycled content and encouraging all suppliers to participate and develop their sustainability programs.
Elix Polymers’ E-Loop products have been selected because they are produced from mechanically recycled content. The Elix E-Loop product family includes ABS and PC/ABS blends with mechanical recycled content, and products with certified raw materials that have circular and bio-based feedstocks certified with ISCC+ using the mass balance model.
A technical validation process was completed with PC/ABS E-Loop 5120MR, which contains 30 per cent post-consumer recycled material from water bottle waste. The technical validation process included mechanical, thermal, processability, odor and emission performance testing. The material proved to have properties equivalent to traditional prime materials, with a carbon foot print down to 40 per cent smaller. The researchers concluded that materials should not be over-engineered.
In one study, upper interior pillars with airbags were formed. Using a lower injection process, and supported by high-quality injection molds from Simoldes Tools, this produced a textile-covered part that fulfilled testing requirements. Visible decorative parts for door panels with class A surfaces were also part of the evaluation program.
