By Frank Esposito
SENIOR STAFF REPORTER
Published: October 29, 2014 10:12 am ET
Updated: October 29, 2014 10:15 am ET

Image By: Teknor Apex Co.
A structural bracket made with Teknor Apex Co.'s recycled nylon 6/6.

Materials firm Teknor Apex Co. is making its recycled nylon compounds available in Europe for the first time.

Pawtucket, R.I.-based Teknor also is introducing four new compounds based on recycled nylon, as well as custom thermoplastic elastomer compounds for food-contact and new TPE compounds for auto window encapsulation.

Teknor now is making Recyclon-brand compounds based on recycled nylon 6 and 6/6 at its plant in Oldbury, England. Recyclon nylon 6 compounds are being sold as the 400 series, while the 6/6 versions are under the 500 series. Both series have filler content of 15 to 30 percent. All four grades have shown property retention of 80 percent after 1,000 hours of heat aging at 140° Celsius, officials said in a news release.

These recycled nylon compounds are being aimed at automotive applications, as well as at consumer and industrial items where customers are looking for cost reduction. They’re aimed to complement Teknor’s Chemlon-brand nylon compounds, which have been available in Europe for some time.

“Not every [nylon] application calls for the full portfolio of elevated properties provided by Chemlon compounds,” European engineering plastics sales and marketing director Steven Dunn said in the release. “The Recyclon product range provides a new option for balancing cost and performance.”

Senior automotive market manager Peter Verhooren added that the cost advantages of the Recyclon products is a result of Teknor’s backward integration into a carpet recycling process that provides a guaranteed supply of feedstocks.

The new compounds are available in black, and new grades already are in development, officials said. The percentage loadings of recycled content can be varied to meet customer needs.

The new TPE food-contact compounds are being sold under the RG series of Teknor’s Monprene-brand TPEs. The materials can be used in injection molding and extrusion and comply with U.S. and European food-contact regulations. They offer vivid colors, smooth surfaces and end-use durability, officials said.

Potential applications of the new Monprene include kitchen appliance components (grips, gaskets, knobs), food containers and utensils (storage products, ice cube trays) and children’s and infant products (soft toys, teething rings). All of the new grades are free of phthalates, latex and BPA.

New TPE compounds for auto window encapsulation and interior parts belong to Teknor’s Sarlink-brand thermoplastic vulcanizate product line. The three new series of Sarlink being launched at Fakuma offer excellent processability and UV stability, officials said, while providing weight savings vs. PVC and EPDM.

Teknor Apex was founded in 1924 and ranks as one of North America’s 30 largest compounders and concentrate makers. The firm operates 13 plants worldwide and has annual sales of more than $600 million.