BASF adds recycled PET grades to Ultradur portfolio
BASF has introduced glass fibre-reinforced PBT/PET compounds containing up to 30% post-consumer recycled material. The Ultradur RC1 grades are intended for structural automotive components.
BASF is expanding its engineering plastics portfolio with new Ultradur RC1 grades developed to help automotive manufacturers and suppliers increase the recycled content of components while meeting demanding technical requirements. The portfolio comprises glass fibre-reinforced PBT/PET compounds containing up to 30% post-consumer recycled content. According to the company, the materials combine recycled feedstock with the strength, stiffness and dimensional stability required in engineering applications.
The Ultradur RC1 grades have been formulated to match the properties of conventional grades based on virgin raw materials as closely as possible. This is intended to allow processors to raise the recycled content of components without compromising established requirements for quality, processability or performance. The available variants use different reinforcement levels to address a range of mechanical and application requirements.
The RC1 designation indicates the use of post-consumer recycled material. The compounds are based on recycled PET sourced from post-consumer packaging waste that does not compete with established bottle-to-bottle recycling streams. BASF states that this waste stream is often directed to energy recovery. Its use in PBT/PET compounds is intended to provide an additional recycling route and direct previously underused resources into higher-value applications.
"The automotive industry faces growing pressure to increase the use of recycled materials while continuing to meet the highest technical requirements. With Ultradur RC1, we offer a solution that combines both: a significant share of post consumer recycled content and a performance required for demanding engineering applications," says Patrick Wilke, Segment Manager Transportation, Engineering Plastics, BASF.
Grades for structural automotive components
The new materials have been developed specifically for structural automotive applications. Potential uses include brackets, housings, structural parts, connectors and other engineering components that must combine high mechanical performance with targets for recycled content. The portfolio's different reinforcement levels enable material selection according to the requirements of individual components.
Emissions and regulatory requirements
In addition to increasing the proportion of recycled material, BASF says the Ultradur RC1 products can contribute to reducing companies' Scope 3.1 emissions. They are also intended to support vehicle manufacturers and suppliers in addressing evolving regulatory requirements for recycled content in plastic components.
The development forms part of BASF's portfolio of circular solutions for engineering plastics. By using PET waste streams that have previously had limited material applications, the company aims to expand the high-value utilisation of plastic waste and support the transition towards a circular economy.