Hifax

Hifax is a family of reactor-made polypropylene impact copolymers produced with Catalloy technology. Conventional thermoplastic polyolefins (TPO) are mechanically compounded: a PP base is physically blended with an elastomeric modifier. Hifax takes a different route. The impact-modified polymer is produced in situ in the reactor, and the rubber phase is dispersed at the molecular level rather than through a downstream compounding step. The result is a single-component reactor-TPO with finer morphology than any mechanically blended equivalent, and without the extra supply-chain hop. Genesis Polymers distributes two Hifax grades, both at 0.89 g/cm³ density, targeting automotive bumper, cladding and body-panel applications.

The automotive case for Hifax rests on three benefits. Impact toughness is high: elongation at break around 500% and Charpy notched impact values well beyond conventional PP. Coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) is low because the elastomeric phase is molecularly dispersed rather than compounded in. That matters for large automotive panels that must stay flush against steel chassis components through full thermal cycling. Because the material is polyolefin throughout, end-of-life recyclability is preserved, with no multi-material blend to disentangle.

Where Hifax is used

• Painted automotive bumpers, side cladding and dashboard skins (Hifax EP3080)

• Non-painted automotive bumpers and outdoor-exposed body panels (Hifax EP3080G)

• Door panels, interior trim

• Building and construction: roofing and waterproofing membranes

• Wire and cable jacketing

• Photovoltaic backsheets

Hifax technical profile

Catalloy reactor technology produces an alloy with high rubber content dispersed at the molecular level. The characteristic signatures are elongation at break around 500%, flexural modulus around 900 MPa, and a low CLTE relative to mechanically blended TPO. The flexural modulus sits below standard PP because the elastomeric dispersion trades stiffness for automotive-grade toughness. Both grades flow at MFR 7.5 g/10 min, high enough to fill large automotive moulds reliably, and compatible with sheet extrusion and thermoforming for construction membranes and photovoltaic backsheets.

Both grades ship as easy-to-blend pellets that feed directly into injection moulding without the off-line PP blending step required for compounded TPO.

The Hifax grade range

Hifax EP3080: reactor-TPO for painted automotive parts MFR 7.5 g/10 min, flexural modulus 900 MPa, elongation at break 500%, density 0.89 g/cm³. Designed for painted automotive bumpers, side cladding and dashboard skins. Combines elastomeric toughness with full polyolefin recyclability, and delivers weight savings over conventional TPO blends. Suitable for sheet extrusion, thermoforming and blow moulding in addition to injection moulding.

Hifax EP3080G: UV-stabilised reactor-TPO for non-painted parts Same 0.89 g/cm³ density and 7.5 g/10 min flow, 500% elongation at break, with built-in UV resistance. For non-painted automotive bumpers, outdoor-exposed body panels, roofing and waterproofing membranes, and photovoltaic backsheets where protective coatings are not applied.

Choosing the right Hifax grade

Frequently asked questions about Hifax

What is Hifax used for? Hifax is used primarily for automotive bumpers, side cladding, dashboard skins, door panels and interior trim. The range also extends to roofing and waterproofing membranes, wire and cable jacketing, and photovoltaic backsheets, where the combination of impact toughness and UV resistance is decisive.

What's the difference between reactor-TPO and compounded TPO?

• Compounded TPO: made by mechanically blending a PP base with a separate elastomeric modifier in a downstream compounding step

• Reactor-TPO: produced in situ in the polymerisation reactor, so the rubber phase is dispersed at the molecular level

The reactor route yields finer morphology, lower CLTE and removes one supply-chain step.

What is Catalloy technology? Catalloy is a multi-reactor polymerisation process for producing polypropylene alloys with high rubber content dispersed at the molecular level. It produces reactor-TPO materials such as Hifax, which behave as single-component polyolefins while delivering impact performance typical of compounded TPO blends.

What's the difference between Hifax EP3080 and EP3080G? Both grades share 0.89 g/cm³ density, MFR 7.5 g/10 min, flexural modulus 900 MPa and 500% elongation at break.

• EP3080: formulated for painted automotive parts

• EP3080G: built-in UV stabilisation for non-painted bumpers, outdoor body panels, roofing membranes and photovoltaic backsheets

Is Hifax recyclable? Yes. Hifax is a single-component polyolefin, so it remains compatible with polyolefin recycling streams. Unlike multi-material TPO blends that require separation at end of life, Hifax parts can be reprocessed through standard PP recycling routes.

Sister polypropylene brands

For general-purpose impact copolymer PP without the reactor-TPO premium, see Moplen EP grades. For high-crystallinity PP where stiffness rather than toughness is the priority, see Adstif. For metallocene PP, see Metocene. For healthcare-grade PP, see Purell.