Hexpol, an international polymer group, has combined its companies in the field of thermoplastics and thermoplastic elastomers into a single business area, Hexpol Thermoplastics. The new structure is intended to make it easier for customers to access material expertise and to accelerate R&D, regulatory and sustainability projects. The Hexpol Thermoplastics organization will focus on developing materials tailored to specific applications and innovative solutions geared to future market requirements.
Jan Wikström, president of Hexpol Thermoplastics, highlights the role of the group’s experience in working with polymers. He notes that the thermoplastics business is growing dynamically, with the goal not only to increase scale but above all to improve material properties and expand the range of possible applications. The company emphasizes matching material solutions to application, technological and environmental requirements, including sustainability targets.
Global network of plants and broad material portfolio
Hexpol operates a total of 14 plants producing thermoplastic materials in America, China and Europe. The following entities operate within the Hexpol Thermoplastics structure:
- almaak international with two plants in Germany,
- Hexpol TPE with six plants in Sweden, the UK, Germany, China and the United States,
- McCann Plastics with two plants in the United States,
- Piedmont Resin Supply in the United States,
- RheTech with three plants in the United States.
The Hexpol Thermoplastics portfolio covers more than 20 groups of thermoplastic materials. In the area of engineering thermoplastics, the offering includes polyamides (PA), polycarbonate (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate (ASA), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and their blends. In polyolefins, materials based on polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are available, including grades reinforced with glass fiber, filled with minerals and containing natural fibers.
The range also includes color masterbatches and performance additives, as well as compounds, alloys and pulverized powders for rotational molding. Thermoplastic elastomers are an important part of the portfolio, including materials based on TPS, TPO, TPV, TPU, TPC and soft PVC.
Application-specific expertise and recyclates
Hexpol’s thermoplastic materials are used in mobility, infrastructure, energy, consumer and medical applications. Automotive and circularity aspects are of particular importance. The companies forming Hexpol Thermoplastics have long-standing experience in working with recycled materials. In addition, the almaak plant in Germany operates in-house recycling processes, which makes it possible to control material consistency and performance.
These solutions support the automotive industry in meeting its sustainability targets, including the requirements of the EU End-of-Life Vehicle Directive. Hexpol offers a growing portfolio of thermoplastic materials approved by automotive OEMs such as BMW, Ford, Geely, GM, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis, Volvo and VW.
Hexpol also supplies thermoplastic materials for sensitive applications, including medical devices, toys and food-contact uses. Safety is the priority, so the company works in accordance with the relevant regulations, carefully selects raw materials and performs extensive testing. The plant in Sweden was the first TPE producer in Europe to achieve ISO 13485 certification, the quality management system for the medical device industry.
Combining hard and soft materials
The integration of the TPE and thermoplastics teams enables Hexpol to offer proven material combinations for multi-component applications. In such uses, a key challenge is the proper bonding of materials with different hardness. In addition, the use of reinforcement, for example glass fiber or flame-retardant additives, makes it more difficult to achieve the required adhesion between components.
Selecting materials that ensure chemical compatibility and stable bonding becomes even more complex with the increasing share of recycled content. The new Hexpol Thermoplastics organization is tasked with developing and testing material combinations that take these factors into account, in order to ensure adequate adhesion and performance in complex molded part designs.
Transparency in sustainability
Hexpol Thermoplastics integrates environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects into its strategy and day-to-day operations. This includes responsible sourcing of raw materials, increasing the use of recycled and renewable feedstocks and measures to improve operational efficiency. Progress is monitored and verified through internal procedures and by independent third parties such as EcoVadis and ISCC Plus.
Product carbon footprint (PCF) is calculated for many materials. The European Hexpol TPE sites have obtained TÜV Rheinland certification for their PCF methodology. This data supports customers who require verified environmental information on the plastics they use.
Summarizing the direction of organizational changes, Jan Wikström said: "I am proud of the global team of thermoplastics specialists we are building. I believe this new organization will benefit our customers. We have the experience to understand what is needed and the materials knowledge to challenge what is considered possible."
