You will be speaking about sustainable TPE solutions at the conference. What challenges do you foresee in scaling up the use of recycled-content elastomers?

The biggest challenge in scaling up the use of recycled-content TPEs, is next to all technical barriers, especially that the automotive market is currently not willing to accept extra cost for sustainable products. Even if the price level of sustainable compounds is similar than their already used virgin pendant, the market entry is difficult due to the high evaluation cost of new materials. 

The biggest technical challenge for the manufacturer is, to achieve a similar quality level with more unstable raw materials over the life time of a part.   

What are the hurdles on the regulatory or supply chain side when transitioning to these materials?

The biggest hurdle is that there are many interesting sustainable raw materials which would fit commercially and technically, but have no possibility for an IMDS entry. The Automotive IMDS System with his GADSL requirement is unfortunately the blocking point of many new sustainable material solutions. 

As design trends for automotive interiors and exteriors are leaning towards more sustainable solutions can you tell us what challenges have been encountered in achieving this goal?

In terms of design we see a trend in multi component parts, that it is more and more important to consider already in the material selection the end of life recycling possibility of physically connected material solutions.  TPEs can lead to solutions in many cases due to their recycling compatibility with Polypropylenes. 

What are you looking forward to most at the event in November?

Showing a big audience that already today it is possible to combine Sustainability and High Quality within a product.