TMG was awarded a grant through the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE). The grant was awarded in 1Q21 and concluded within one year ending 1Q22. The project goals and objectives were to increase the use of recycled materials within the automotive industry and our specific G's & O's were:
Create new growth streams of application spaces for PIR plastics allowing OEMS to increase the use of recycled content per vehicle. Targeting new growth streams of recycled plastics and decreasing C02 emissions by 30% to 300% through avoidance of using prime materials. New materials and compounds using PIR matrix resin with natural and PIR filler technologies will be validated for automotive use. New lab equipment to be used for validation and testing products.
- Increase competencies in personnel through training and research and development.
- Select and purchase lab test equipment.
- Create new PIR thermoplastic compounds using natural and recycled fillers.
- Material validation and testing of mechanical and physical properties.
- Targeting part molding trials in existing tooling and parts.
- Validate an application and systems level performance vs current materials leading to production use.
TMG delivered excellent results and fulfilled our obligations during this time with some of the key highlights being:
- Launched new programs in North America adding PIR content on the vehicles
- Opticarb 3400 (PIR PC+ASA) – Exterior Mold in Color Pillars
- Optilac MH102 (PIR ABS) – Door Top Rolls
- Optiflex TPV91A (PIR TPV) – Fender Close Out Panel
Metal replacement is a key initiative for the auto industry leading toward light weighting vehicles. The long-term validation project we will focus on directly with the OEM and Tier one supplier will use PIR content structural injection molded thermoplastic. This project will focus on reducing the overall dependence on metals, light weighting the vehicle and including the use of post industrial recycle content. Developed highly structural products with the use of recycled carbon fiber reinforced Nylon.
Purchased lab equipment which will be used for validating the UV stability of mold in color recycled products. Heat / Humidity chamber will provide testing of environmental cycling and moisture conditioned effects on recycled materials.
Created light weight recycled polypropylene products for use in head lamp housings. Working directly with the OEM and Tier one supplier to perform as well as the currently used prime materials and use unique filler technology to reduce the material density.
Developed recycle content for exterior structural brackets focusing on 2 different material solutions, one being polypropylene based and the other using nylon with hybrid filler technology using sustainable filler and recycled carbon fiber. Developed material cards and data for digitally validating the components.
Created a recycled version of a filled PC+ABS for exterior panels focusing on low CLTE and conducted in vehicle trials and evaluations leading toward additional recycled content on the vehicle.
Investigate the use of PIR nylon material with basalt fiber filler technology to promote the use of natural fibers and recycled base resin for semi structural applications used under the hood of the vehicle.