.

        IMA

Plastomer/EVA formulation creates a recyclable car mat series

Plastomer/EVA formulation creates a recyclable car mat series

Southeast Asian automotive accessories brand Trapo while seeking to improve the performance of its aftermarket car mats collaborated with US-based ExxonMobil Signature Polymers, to develop an improved and possibly recyclable car mat solution for its Classic series.

Traditionally, Trapo’s Classic series used a hook-and-loop fastener on the back of the car mat to provide an anti-slip feature.

However, hook-and-loop fasteners can damage a car’s floorboard. Therefore, Trapo resorted to designing a new series of mats that could either reduce or eliminate the use of hook-and-loop fasteners while maintaining anti-slip performance.

Plastomer/EVA formulation creates a recyclable car mat series

Thus, Trapo worked with materials supplier ExxonMobil’s Vistamaxx propylene-based plastomer for its new car-mat formulation. After a few trials, the Classic Mark IV mats were introduced.

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.

Furthermore, in surface friction tests conducted by ExxonMobil, coefficient of friction showed a 91% and 115% improvement on the static and dynamic coefficient of friction (COF) of Classic Mark IV over the Classic Mark III mat.

Sustainability is a core business pillar at Trapo, which supplies to markets in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand. Thus, 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, it adds, will potentially reduce wastage, increase productivity, and enable Trapo to initiate a recycling programme that involves collecting the car mats when they reach the end of their lifecycle.

Trapo says it aims to repurpose them back to the formulation to produce new products/new car mats for the market.

Subscribe to Get the Latest Updates from IMA  Please click here



©2025 Injection Moulding Asia. All rights reserved.