Hexpol TPE partners with Polestar for climate-neutral car project

Gothenburg, Sweden – Polestar, the electric performance car company, formerly Volvo’s performance tuning division, has ambitious ‘moonshot’ plans to make a climate-neutral automobile by 2030. The car maker has chosen Hexpol TPE as one of its partners in the project, codenamed Polestar 0.

The aim of the Polestar 0 project is to make a car that is truly climate-neutral – without using carbon credits or offsetting. The project aims to identify – and eliminate – all greenhouse gas emissions from the extraction of the raw materials used in in the car’s construction, through delivery to the customer, while also taking into account end-of-life handling.

Hexpol TPE is based in Malmö, Sweden but the partnership with Polestar will be based at Hexpol TPE’s site in Ämål, Sweden.

Hexpol TPE will support the project, using its experience in thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and soft polymer compounds, to research materials made with bio-based and recycled content. The project will also map supply chains to identify all root sources of emissions, and investigate logistics systems with zero CO₂ emissions.  

Hans Pehrson, leader of the Polestar 0 project, said: ‘I’m looking forward to Hexpol TPE becoming a crucial part of our team as we find solutions for developing an entirely climate-neutral supply chain. Hexpol TPE’s expertise in thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and soft polymer compounds will play an integral role in pioneering new and innovative technologies to achieve what has so far been impossible.’

Thomas Nilsson, managing director Hexpol TPE, said: ‘This is a very inspiring project to be part of. It aligns with our work to enable a systems transformation in the polymer industry. To bring a true change, we need to collaborate on an unprecedented scale. We’ve already started the work and are excited to see where we go.’