Technological watch

Trinseo has launched a new portfolio of recycled content-containing PC/ABS for automotive applications. Trinseo’s new PULSE™ ECO Series contains between 30-50 percent recycled content, combining European-sourced post-industrial recycled (PIR) Polycarbonate with Trinseo’s virgin MAGNUM™ ABS.
New Products Packed with Superior Technical Features
Developed using Trinseo’s unique PULSE™ GX technology, the new product family boasts strong technical features, such as superior flow properties, low temperature ductility, a low CO2 footprint and low density, allowing up to three percent more parts per ton compared to competitive materials. Furthermore, the material’s low odor performance makes it highly suited to automotive interior applications, such as mid/floor consoles, instrument panels, pillars, and more.
The favorable environmental impact of Trinseo’s new PULSE™ ECO Series has been proven through a specialized lifecycle analysis, which compared the difference in carbon dioxide emissions, water and energy consumption to that of virgin materials. In all cases, Trinseo’s PIR-containing resins showed a reduced environmental impact, with up to 48 percent less energy consumption, 39 percent less global warming potential and 39 percent lower water consumption.
High-quality Resins for Automotive Interiors
“The launch of our new PULSE™ ECO Series further extends our ECO portfolio of recycled content-based polycarbonate (PC) and PC/ABS materials,” said Frank Schumann, global marketing manager, Automotive, Trinseo. “Our automotive customers are increasingly looking out for recycled materials that deliver the quality required to ensure consistent and high-performing interior applications. Not only will the PULSE™ ECO Series meet sustainability objectives for our customers, but it will also deliver design advantages equal to all-virgin premium products. Features, such as easy flow and high impact strength at low temperatures are now possible with an improved carbon footprint.”
Trinseo has confirmed its PIR-containing PULSE™ GX50 ECO and PULSE™ GX70 ECO grades will be made available in Europe during the first half of 2020. PULSE™ ECO grades fulfill major OEM specifications for PC/ABS and extend Trinseo’s existing ECO portfolio of recycled content-based PC/ABS, first introduced in 2018 for the consumer electronics market.