🧩 PE+RC – Recycled Polyethylene

(Eco-friendly and economic weldable plastic, used in secondary automotive parts, protections, and non-structural technical applications)

🔹 What is PE+RC

PE+RC (Polyethylene Recycled Compound) is a polyethylene obtained through the mechanical recycling of industrial or post-consumer plastic waste, primarily sourced from PE-HD and PE-LD. It features properties similar to virgin polyethylene but with slightly reduced strength and color variations depending on the source material. It is a sustainable and economic solution, increasingly used in automotive parts, secondary tanks, and guards where maximum structural performance is not required.

🔧 Composition

• Recycled PE-HD / PE-LD – base material.
• Reintroduced Additives – antioxidants, UV stabilizers, compatibilizers.
• Mineral Fillers / Colorants – for stiffening and color uniformity.
• Density: 0.92–0.96 g/cm³.
• Melting Point: ≈ 120–130 °C.

🚗 Where PE+RC is used in the automotive industry

Component	Example parts	Observations
Exterior	Mudguards, lower guards, simple covers	Economic material, UV stable
Technical Interior	Plugs, supports, gaskets	Moderate elasticity
Aftermarket	Tanks, toolboxes, prototype parts	Lightweight, recyclable, and cheap

🔧 Welding Temperature and Methods

Method	Optimal Temperature	Observations
Hot Air	250 – 270 °C	Easy welding, but uneven melting possible
Heat Plate (Mirror)	240 – 260 °C	Recommended for flat joints
Manual Extrusion	230 – 250 °C	Ideal for cracks and corners

🔩 What to Weld PE+RC With (Material Compatibility)

Since recycled material contains various PE blends, the safest weld is achieved with standard polyethylene rods (PE-HD or PE-LD).

✅ Compatible:

• PE+RC ↔ PE-HD / PE-LD / PE-MD – good compatibility.
• PE+RC ↔ PE-LLD – uniform melting.
• PE+RC ↔ PE+RC – ideal if sourced from the same batch.

❌ Incompatible:

• PP, ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different chemistry, will not adhere.

💡 ReplastMD Recommendation: Use original PE-HD welding rods at a temperature of 260–270 °C. Clean the surface thoroughly (recycled material may contain dust or oxides), work with constant hot air and moderate pressure.

🏭 Manufacturers and Trade Names

• LyondellBasell: Circulen® PE
• Borealis: Borcycle™ M-RPE
• SABIC: TRUCIRCLE™ PE
• TotalEnergies: RE:clic® PE
• Alpla / Albis: Recybase® PE

🧠 How to Identify PE+RC

• Engraved marking: >PE-RC<, >PE-HD-R<, or >PE-REC<.
• Matte surface, slightly uneven texture, grey or black color.
• Yellow-blue flame, paraffin smell.
• Softens at 260 °C, but with uneven gloss.
• Partially floats in water (variable density).

🛠️ PE+RC Welding at ReplastMD: At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional PE+RC welding and repairs for:

• aftermarket recycled protections, covers, and parts;
• crack and deformed zone repairs;
• reinforcements with compatible PE-HD rods;
• clean, watertight finish without loss of strength.