SABIC Launches New Upcycled Resin

SABIC Launches New Upcycled Resin SABIC launches new upcycled LNP™ ELCRIN™ iQ resin made with ocean-bound plastic waste to help reduce pollution and support circularity. SABIC introduced LNP™ ELCRIN™ WF0061BiQ resin, a novel material that uses ocean-bound polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles as a feed stream for chemical upcycling into polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin. Mismanaged waste that originates within 30 miles (50 kilometers) of the coast and is likely to end up in the ocean is known as ocean-bound plastic.   SABIC's extensive portfolio of chemically upcycled LNP ELCRIN iQ materials, which help support circularity while serving as potential drop-in replacements for virgin PBT resins, now includes the new grade. LNP ELCRIN WF0061BiQ resin is a potential candidate for consumer electronics applications such as computer fan housings, automotive seating, and electrical connectors and enclosures.   “We’re continually expanding our LNP ELCRIN iQ portfolio – and the PET waste streams used to produce these materials – to help divert more plastic from the oceans while helping our customers incorporate recycled materials in their products, achieve their carbon neutrality goals and meet consumer demands for greater sustainability,” said Sanjay Mishra, GM Technology & Footprint, Specialties, SABIC. “Within the next decade, we anticipate upcycling 10 billion plastic bottles into higher-performing, durable materials that deliver enhanced value to customers. SABIC is committed to working with the plastics supply chain to find new solutions to address urgent environmental issues such as reducing ocean-bound plastic waste and achieving net zero carbon emissions.”

Without Compromising Performance, Circularity

  The new LNP ELCRIN WF0061BiQ grade, a glass fiber-reinforced PBT material, meets the UL94 V0 standard for non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardancy at 0.8mm and F1 rating. It also has excellent heat resistance, toughness and stiffness, as well as a high flow rate, making it ideal for thin-wall applications in outdoor environments like electrical equipment enclosures. All LNP ELCRIN iQ materials can be used as drop-in replacements for traditional PBT, allowing manufacturers to improve end-product sustainability. SABIC's upcycling technology, which involves repolymerizing ocean-bound PET into PBT, provides virgin-like performance properties. In terms of quality and consistency, this process outperforms mechanical recycling. “According to an internal life cycle analysis conducted in accordance with ISO 14040/14044 protocols, LNP ELCRIN WF0061BiQ compound can offer potential reductions of up to 14% in carbon footprint and up to 25% in cumulative energy demand, when compared to the virgin PBT compound reinforced with glass fiber,” said Darpan Parikh, Americas Customer Fulfillment Leader, Specialties, SABIC. “By replacing virgin material with our resins, customers can help reduce environmental impacts by reusing plastic waste and eliminating halogenated additives.” SABIC has added many new and innovative grades to its LNP ELCRIN iQ portfolio, including glass- and mineral-reinforced products and flame-retardant formulations, in addition to its new LNP ELCRIN WF0061BiQ resin, which is based on ocean-bound PET bottles. For example, SABIC’s new LNP ELCRIN WF006XXPiQ and LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compounds incorporate pre-consumer recycled glass fiber diverted from the waste stream of industrial processes. The use of recycled glass fiber further enhances the circularity of these upcycled PBT materials. The diversity of these formulations enables LNP ELCRIN iQ resins to be considered for applications beyond electrical and electronics components, such as automotive exterior parts, healthcare applications and personal care products. SABIC not only develops environmentally friendly materials, but also develops new resins and compounds using environmentally friendly and safer chemistries, such as non-brominated/non-chlorinated flame retardants. These SABIC materials, as well as others in development, are or will be recognized with a score of 3 or higher on the GreenScreen for Safe Chemicals benchmark rating, which was created by the non-profit organization Clean Production Action (CPA). Benchmark 3 is a slightly better result than average products, and it only raises a minor concern. Note: Content may be edited for style and length. Source