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Glass Fiber-Reinforced PP With PCR For Automotive

Borcycle GD3600SY will appear in Peugeot vehicles.

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Borealis has introduced Borcycle GD3600SY, a glass-fiber-reinforced polypropylene (PP) compound with 65% postconsumer recycled (PCR) polymer content. It will first be used in automotive interiors delivered in partnership with Plastivaloire, a thermoplastic injection specialist and Tier 1 supplier to the automotive sector, and Stellantis, the owner of 14 automotive brands, including Jeep, Ram and Peugeot.

Peugeot vehicle illustration.

Borcycle material is being used in the newest Peugeot 3008 vehicle. Source: Stellantis.

Borcycle GD3600SY is part of the Borcycle M portfolio of mechanically recycled polyolefins for demanding applications. It contains 30% glass fibers, meaning that most of the polymer fraction of the product is made from postconsumer recycled PP. It will initially be used in center console carriers for the interior of the new Peugeot 3008, a crossover SUV.

The forthcoming European End-of-Life Vehicles regulation is expected to  stipulate that 25% of the plastic used in new vehicles must come from recycled sources (see Chapter 2, Article 6 of the proposal). Given that polypropylene accounts for about one-third of the plastic in cars, compounds like Borcycle GD3600SY will play a critical role in achieving these circularity goals.

Historically, mechanically recycled plastics from postconsumer waste streams have been of low and inconsistent quality, making them unsuitable for demanding automotive applications. By combining sorting, cleaning and extrusion steps, the Borcycle M mechanical recycling technology converts household waste streams into high-quality PCR polymers that meet the standards of the automotive industry.

“Accelerating the transition to a circular economy requires strong partnerships and innovative approaches. We are proud that our collaboration with Plastivaloire and Stellantis has resulted in this significant step towards sustainability in the automotive sector and is further evidence of our commitment to reinventing essentials for sustainable living,” says Shanila Baseley, global commercial vice president, advanced products & mobility, commercial excellence & business intelligence at Borealis.
 

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