PolyOne to Boost Production of Recycled Nylon and Biobased TPEs in Europe

Plans to increase production of both of its Nymax PIR post-industrial recycled nylon grades and its ReSound OM (overmolding) biobased TPEs in Europe, were recently announced by PolyOne Corp., Avon Lake, Ohio. The company’s goal is to offer a strengthened sustainability portfolio to support circular economy efforts and provide additional eco-conscious material options for its EU customers. Europe now accounts for 25% of global bioplastics production, a figure set to increase to 30% by 2024, according to the European Bioplastics Association. Fueling this growth, in part, are public commitments from brands across a range of industries to increase their use of recycled plastics.

Formulated with between 20% and 100% post-industrial nylon materials, such as recycled carpet, Nymax PIR post-industrial recycled nylon is said to offer comparable performance to prime nylon grades, including high strength, durability, impact resistance, and weather resistance. As a result, this material is an excellent alternative to prime nylon in many industries and applications, including automotive, outdoor high performance and industrial.

ReSound OM TPEs utilize between 40% and 50% bio-renewable content derived from sugarcane, and offer hardness levels and performance comparable to standard TPEs. Consisting of four overmolding grades compatible with rigid PP and one suited to ABS, all grades are formulated for durability, property retention, and UV resistance comparable to traditional TPEs. These check the major requirement boxes for applications such as cosmetics packaging, personal care products, and consumer electronics.

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