Luxus shows sustainable polymers have come of age at K 2013
UK-based plastics solutions provider, Luxus, will be showing its latest evolution in high performance recycled content polymers for the global automotive, waste, construction and retail grocery sectors in at K 2013.
The company has been developing polymers for nearly 50 years to deliver grades that are now able to reduce weight, carbon and cost in a broad range of applications from auto interior trims to returnable transit packaging for major grocery chains.
Its commitment to innovation has most recently led to the development of a lightweight PP for ‘A’ surface interior applications, known as Hycolene, based on both prime and recycled materials. The recycled grade is said to offer automotive manufacturers a material with a high (up to 60 percent) recycled content gained from post-industrial and post-consumer feedstocks - yet it still delivers the quality and durability expected for car interior trims.
Luxus says the major benefits of Hycolene are both the weight saving it offers, typically a 10-12 percent weight reduction for each component and improved scratch resistance over current talc-filled PP alternatives.
Hycolene is currently being tested by Renault Nissan at its UK-based European Technical Centre, using interior trim mouldings from the Nissan Qashqai. Current activity with auto manufacturers indicates that Hycolene will be used in volume production vehicles by 2015. Luxus says additional Hycolene grades are also planned for the future including a new high impact version and various colour options.
Luxus will also be showcasing its ‘closed loop’ recycling services, including ‘Tray2Tray’, which offers an environmentally friendly solution for unwanted plastics waste generated in the retail supply chain.
The company says continued investment in both its Technical Centre and production capacity with new extrusion lines will enable it to guarantee the delivery of its technical recycled content polymers for eco conscious markets in the long-term.