Reinforced PP with up to 70% PCR content by Teknor Apex
Last update on May 18, 2026
Increasing recycled content in automotive interiors is a regulatory and sustainability priority for OEMs – but conventional post-consumer recycled polypropylene has consistently fallen short where it matters most: colorability, odor and emissions performance, and batch-to-batch consistency. A new series from Teknor Apex directly targets these constraints, with verified recycled content and documented compliance against Daimler interior material specifications.
Interested in Teknor Apex's latest product developments? Visit the profile on our platform >>
Maintains colorability comparable to virgin reinforced PP
Crealen R is a reinforced polypropylene series incorporating up to 70% post-consumer recycled content, sourced from a controlled, high-quality PCR stream with third-party verified, traceable origins through RecyClass certification. The series is engineered for injection molding of automotive interior components, including visible and semi-visible trim and HVAC components, with processing behavior described by Teknor Apex as comparable to virgin reinforced PP grades.
The colorability limitation of conventional PCR materials has been a primary barrier to their use in visible interior components, where light colors and consistent surface appearance are required. According to Teknor Apex, Crealen R maintains colorability comparable to virgin reinforced PP, enabling application in visible parts without the surface appearance trade-offs typically associated with recycled-content PP. The series is also engineered to meet automotive interior requirements for odor, emissions, fogging, and mechanical performance — with grades qualified against Daimler specifications DBL 1000, DBL 1224, and DBL 5307.10.
“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. “Crealen R was developed to help close that gap with a solution designed for both sustainability and performance, reinforcing Teknor Apex’s expertise in bringing those priorities together for demanding automotive applications.”
79% reduction in CO₂e emissions
On the carbon footprint side, Teknor Apex reports that one grade – Crealen R5-8M8HS, incorporating more than 50% PCR content – delivers a 79% reduction in CO₂e emissions compared to its virgin reinforced PP counterpart, based on third-party reviewed Product Carbon Footprint data. This figure provides OEMs with a documented reference point for lifecycle assessment and supplier reporting requirements, particularly where GWP reduction targets are part of material qualification criteria.
"Development of the series was led in Europe, where the market has seen stronger pull for recycled-content solutions in automotive applications," said Jan Duyfjes, commercial director, Europe, Teknor Apex. "By meeting some of the most stringent interior material specifications, Crealen R demonstrates that sustainability progress does not have to come at the expense of performance."
Material properties and interior specification performance
| Property | Crealen R5-8M8HS (MD40) | Crealen R7-EP8G4HS3 (GF20) | Crealen R6-EP8G6HS3 (GF30) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCR) | >50% | >70% | >60% |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.25 | 1.05 | 1.14 |
| MFR (g/10 min) (230°C / 2.16 kg) | 20 | 15 | 15 |
| Tensile Modulus (MPa) | 4600 | 4200 | 6100 |
| Strain at Break (%) | 6.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Charpy Impact (kJ/m², +23°C) | 13 | 49 | 53 |
| Charpy Impact Notched (kJ/m², +23°C) | 1.3 | 8 | 12 |
| DBL 1224 (Emissions/Fogging) | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| DBL 1000 (incl. VDA 270 Odor) | Pass | Pass | Pass |
| DBL 5307.10 (Flammability) | Pass | Pass | Pass |
You can review 5000+ polypropylene grades for automotive applications and compare specs directly in the Master Catalog of Plastics.
Image credits: Teknor Apex