SABIC increases recycled content in its engineering thermoplastics

SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, has announced that its engineering thermoplastics business is expanding its portfolio of Cycoloy and Lexan resins containing high levels of postconsumer resin (PCR).

Typical applications for the portfolio include consumer electronics and accessories, such as chargers and adapters, printers, copiers and laptop housing. 

The company’s new PCR material is blended with virgin material to create compounds with PCR levels of up to 30 percent initially. According to an internal SABIC life cycle assessment (LCA) study, which has not undergone ISO third-party critical review as of yet, these compounds offer reductions in carbon footprint and energy consumption of up to 25 percent and 30 percent, respectively, compared with virgin material. 

SABIC says it hopes to be able to offer materials with PCR content of up to 60 percent in 2021. The compounds and their properties will be tailored according to different industry requirements.

“The initiative to produce a broader portfolio of engineering thermoplastics with PCR content complements our existing efforts in making base resins from certified renewable feedstock,” says Sergi Monros, vice president of performance polymers and industry solutions for petrochemicals at SABIC. “Together, our circular solutions from our Trucircle portfolio and services can help to improve plastic recyclability, lower emissions and drive towards closing the loop on used plastic.” 

He adds, “Our vision of a circular economy requires collaboration across the value chain, and we are committed to working with downstream and upstream partners to drive the transformation needed.” 

The extended range of materials will contain PCR polycarbonate coming from applications such as 5-gallon water bottles and optical media. “Such products are made with clear polycarbonate, and they are easy to obtain, sort and clean,” Monros says. “We are also investigating use of PCR polycarbonate from end-of-life automotive applications, such as headlights and dashboards.”

Within the expanded portfolio, SABIC says it also will develop materials to meet the various needs of different players in the market, with grades featuring different levels of flame retardance, targeting various business equipment applications and electrical applications, such as internal components. The company says it also will offer grades with PCR content for applications that require good clarity. The new portfolio will encompass unfilled grades and grades containing filler.