Teknor Apex Advances Recycled Solutions for Automotive Interiors

(PAWTUCKET, R.I., May 12, 2026) Automotive OEMs are under increasing pressure to incorporate more recycled content into their vehicles, but interior applications remain challenging. Conventional polypropylene solutions with recycled content often fall short in colorability, odor and emissions performance, and consistency, which can affect both mechanical performance and processing. Crealen R from Teknor Apex was developed to address these constraints in automotive interior applications.

Crealen R incorporates up to 70% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, with third-party verified, traceable sourcing from a controlled, high-quality PCR stream. Unlike conventional PCR-containing materials, Crealen R maintains colorability comparable to virgin reinforced PP, enabling light colors and consistent surface appearance in visible automotive interior components.

“In automotive interiors, increasing recycled content only creates value if the material can also meet the requirements of the application,” said Patty Mishic O’Brien, Chief Sustainability Officer at Teknor Apex. “Crealen R was developed to help close that gap with a solution designed for both sustainability and performance, reinforcing Teknor Apex’s expertise in bringing those priorities together for demanding automotive applications.”

Addressing Constraints on PCR Use in Visible Interior Components

In visible automotive interior applications, material selection has been constrained by the limitations of conventional PCR solutions, particularly in colorability and interior air-quality performance. Crealen R brings together the performance, sustainability, and reliability expected for demanding automotive interior applications, with verified, traceable sourcing from a controlled, high-quality PCR stream.

Unlike conventional PCR materials, Crealen R maintains colorability comparable to virgin reinforced PP, enabling light colors and consistent surface appearance in visible automotive interior components. The series is also engineered to meet demanding requirements for odor, emissions, fogging, and mechanical performance in automotive interiors. Crealen R grades meet Daimler interior material specifications, including DBL 1000, DBL 1224, and DBL 5307.10, supporting use in performance-critical applications. In addition, recycled content is verified through RecyClass for transparent, traceable sourcing, and with one grade delivering up to a 79% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to virgin reinforced PP.*

“Development of the series was led in Europe, where the market has seen stronger pull for recycled-content solutions in automotive applications,” said Jan Duyfjes, Commercial Director, Europe, Teknor Apex. “By meeting some of the most stringent interior material specifications, Crealen R demonstrates that sustainability progress does not have to come at the expense of performance.”

Target Applications

Crealen R grades are suitable for injection molding of automotive interior components, including visible and semi-visible trim and HVAC components. Processing is comparable to virgin reinforced PP grades, with consistent behavior supported by the controlled, high-quality PCR stream.

Material Properties and Interior Specification Performance

Reduction in Global Warming Potential (GWP): Crealen R5-8M8HS vs. Virgin Reinforced PP

Crealen R5-8M8HS incorporates >50% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content and delivers a 79% reduction in CO₂e emissions compared to its virgin counterpart. This reduction is based on third-party reviewed Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data and is illustrated in the accompanying graph.