New polyolefin additive for improved ESCR and impact strength in r-HDPE from Avient
Last update on May 6, 2026
Formulators working with recycled high-density polyethylene face a consistent structural constraint: r-HDPE degrades in Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR) relative to virgin material, limiting its use in demanding applications such as cable jacketing, piping, and load-bearing packaging.
Avient has introduced Cesa™ Tough™ A4R, a polyolefin additive designed specifically to address this performance gap in r-HDPE processing.
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Improves performance by more than 100%
According to Avient, Cesa™ Tough™ A4R delivers the following performance results compared to r-HDPE without the additive:
Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR): Improves performance by more than 100% in bent strip tests
Melt flow rate: Increases processability by 20% for easy manufacturing
Strain at break: Enhances flexibility by 35% to help reduce risk of material failure
- Impact strength: Boosts durability by 140% to extend product lifespan
Avient notes that these improvements are especially beneficial for difficult-to-fit applications where durability and resistance to environmental stress are crucial, such as with HDPE.
The additive was developed in collaboration with Italian cable manufacturer Tratos, with cable jacketing identified as a primary application context, specifically for protection against moisture, soil chemicals, and mechanical strain. The development was carried out through Avient's CycleWorks™ Innovation Center for Plastic Recycling. Cesa™ Tough™ A4R was shortlisted as a finalist in the PRSE Product Innovation category.
“We’re excited to introduce Cesa™ Tough™ A4R at PRSE, where industry leaders collaborate to advance circular economy initiatives,” said Dr. Jan Sϋltemeyer, Global Sustainability and Innovation manager at Avient. “I am proud that Avient has been nominated as a finalist for the PRSE Awards in the Product Innovation category for the development, along with Tratos, of this latest additive technology for recycling, which is a testament to our ongoing commitment to innovation and the value we bring to our customers and the plastics recycling industry.”