🧩 PP+Hostacom – Hostacom® Polypropylene (Automotive TPO Blend)
(Premium weldable elastic-rigid plastic, used in high-quality OEM bumpers, spoilers, and exterior elements)
🔹 What is PP+Hostacom
Hostacom® is a brand of polypropylene-based (PP) and thermoplastic olefin (TPO) compounds produced by LyondellBasell, one of the largest petrochemical companies in the world.
This material is specifically designed for the automotive industry, offering an excellent balance of rigidity, elasticity, UV resistance, and dimensional stability. PP+Hostacom is considered a reference standard for OEM bumpers and spoilers, used by brands such as Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes, and Renault.
🔧 Composition
- PP (Polypropylene) – structural thermoplastic matrix
- TPO (Thermoplastic Olefin) – blend of EPDM and elastic polyolefins
- Hostacom® Additives – UV stabilizers, anti-scratch agents, compatibilizers, and technical colorants
- Common types: Hostacom® XBR, CR, EP, EBM
🚗 Where PP+Hostacom is used in the automotive industry
| Component | Example parts | Observations |
| Body / Exterior | Car bumpers, spoilers, wheel liners | Highly elastic and UV stable OEM material |
| Interior | Covers, panels, mounts | Matte, anti-scratch surface |
| Engine Compartment | Technical covers, lower protectors | Thermally stable, vibration resistant |
| Aftermarket / Tuning | Extensions, air diffusers, sport elements | Original look, easy to process and paint |
🔧 Welding temperatures and methods
| Method | Optimal temperature | Observations |
| Hot air | 270 – 290 °C | Most used method, uniform melting |
| Heat plate (mirror) | 260 – 280 °C | Clean and controlled bonding |
| Manual extrusion | 250 – 270 °C | Recommended for corners and long cracks |
| Ultrasonic | — | Industrial only, for thin parts |
🔩 What to weld PP+Hostacom with (Material compatibility)
The question “what to weld PP+Hostacom with” is common in professional repairs.
Being a PP-TPO compound, Hostacom has excellent compatibility with most elastically modified PP blends.
✅ Compatible:
- PP+Hostacom ↔ PP+Hostacom – ideal combination, identical OEM joint
- PP+Hostacom ↔ PP+TPO / PP+EPDM / PP+TPV – excellent compatibility
- PP+Hostacom ↔ PP-C / PP-H / PP-HI – compatible, but more rigid
- PP+Hostacom ↔ PP-TD20 / PP-MD20 – partially compatible, shrinkage difference
❌ Incompatible:
- PE, ABS, ASA, PC, PA, PVC – different chemistry, incompatible melting
💡 ReplastMD Recommendation:
Use PP-TPO or PP-EPDM welding rods at a temperature of 275–285 °C. Clean the area with plastic degreaser and heat both edges uniformly for a clean and elastic weld.
🏭 Manufacturers and trade names
| Manufacturer | Brand / Series | Country / Region |
| LyondellBasell | Hostacom® XBR / CR / EP | Germany / Netherlands |
| Borealis | Daplen® TPO | Austria |
| SABIC | PP-TPO Compound | Netherlands / Global |
| Hyundai EP | Polytron® TPO | South Korea |
🧠 How to identify PP+Hostacom
- Engraved marking: >PP-TPO<, >Hostacom<, or >PP-EPDM-TD<
- Matte surface, fine texture, with anti-scratch properties
- Yellow-blue flame, faint paraffin smell
- Softens uniformly at 275 °C, no bubbles
- Partially floats in water (density < 1 g/cm³)
🛠️ PP+Hostacom Welding at ReplastMD:
At our service center in Chisinau (Ciocana sector), ReplastMD performs professional Hostacom® welding for:
- LyondellBasell OEM bumpers, spoilers, and protectors
- TPO elastic parts with PP blend
- precision aesthetic and structural repairs
- original uniform finish, ready for painting