ELIX Polymers and Simoldes Plastics to boost use of recycled plastics in automotives

The goal of Simoldes' BOOST project during the pre-development phase is to increase the use of renewable materials by 40% in the development phase of their products. The focus is on materials with mechanically recycled content, while also encouraging all suppliers to participate and strengthen their own sustainability programs.

This is where ELIX Polymers' high-quality E-LOOP products, which include mechanically recycled content, are an ideal fit. A technical validation process has been completed using the material PC/ABS E-LOOP 5120MR, which contains 30% post-consumer recyclate sourced from water bottle waste.

Cooperation brought the new mindset avoiding over-engineered materials into the real application. The product has shown equivalent properties compared to the traditional prime materials, but the material carbon footprint can be reduced up to a 40%. High demanding upper interior pillars (case study at ''A'') with airbag have been injected in a unique lower injection process supported by high quality injection molds from Simoldes Tools to produce textile covered parts and all component requirements have been fulfilled. Also, visible decorative parts for door panels with class A surfaces have been part of the evaluation program.

The parts were showcased at the Plastics in Automotive Engineering conference in Mannheim in March 2025. They have also been presented to premium automotive OEMs, generating significant interest. Mold-flow data is available for the material, along with complete test results aligned with the pre-development product validation plan.

ELIX Polymers' more sustainable E-LOOP product range includes ABS and PC/ABS blends with mechanically recycled content. The portfolio also features products made with certified raw materials that have circular and bio-based feedstocks, certified under the ISCC+ scheme using the mass balance model.