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Propylene Plastomer Ups Car Mat’s Sustainability FootprintPropylene Plastomer Ups Car Mat’s Sustainability Footprint

Added to an EVA formulation, ExxonMobil’s Vistamaxx performance polymer enables elimination of hook-and-loop fasteners in car mats and improves recyclability.

Stephen Moore

July 24, 2024

1 Min Read
Trapo car mat
Image courtesy of ExxonMobil

Trapo, a leading automotive accessories brand in Southeast Asia, is always on the lookout for innovative solutions to improve the performance of its aftermarket car mats while simultaneously providing more value to the user. Traditionally, its Classic series has used a hook-and-loop fastener on the back of the car mat to provide the anti-slip feature.

Undoing the hook-and-loop attachment.

However, hook-and-loop fasteners can damage a car’s floorboard. Therefore, Trapo sought to design a new series of mats that could either reduce or eliminate hook-and-loop fasteners while maintaining anti-slip performance. To address the issue at hand, Trapo turned to materials supplier ExxonMobil and its Vistamaxx propylene-based plastomer for its new car-mat formulation. After a few trials, the Classic Mark IV mats were introduced.

Floorboard-damage-650x385.jpg

By adding Vistamaxx grade 6102 to its ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) formulation, Trapo was able to create a new generation of car mats that display softer and better cushioning with improved anti-slip properties compared with the Classic Mark III mats.

Closing the product lifecycle loop.

Sustainability is a core business pillar at Trapo, and by leveraging Vistamaxx performance polymers in the design of the new Classic Mark IV mat, it was able to make the entire mat recyclable without requiring separation of any layers. This will potentially reduce waste, increase productivity, and enable Trapo to initiate a recycling program and collect the mats when they reach the end of their lifecycle. Trapo aims to return them to the initial formulation to produce new products and car mats.

Related:ExxonMobil Sold on Sustainable Solutions at Chinaplas

About the Author

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and a proud dachshund owner.

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