MOSCOW (MRC) -- Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a global leader in the chemical industry, has launched the company’s first automotive grades containing mechanically recycled content within the company’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio of circular solutions and services, as per the company's press release.
The new resins are SABIC T2E-3320EH PP compound, a high-flow, low-emission, talc-filled polypropylene (PP); XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, an unfilled, UV-stabilized blend of polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and XENOY T2NX5230 resin, a mineral-filled PC/PET blend. All three materials contain up to 29% recycled content and offer excellent performance similar to that of the incumbent virgin resins, giving automotive customers new options that can help them address their sustainability goals.
“The new TRUCIRCLE materials support the automotive industry’s sustainability initiatives by providing an opportunity to extend the life of plastic waste and helping to increase value from post-consumer products,” said Abdullah Al-Otaibi, general manager, ETP & Market Solutions, SABIC. “These new products are the first of many SABIC resins to be introduced with mechanically recycled content for potential use in interior and exterior automotive applications. They also may complement other types of sustainable materials, such as certified renewable products from bio-based content, which we are also developing. It’s all part of SABIC’s strategy to accelerate towards a true circular economy.”
SABIC T2E-3320EH PP compound features stiffness, low emissions and high heat resistance for non-visible heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) components within the instrument panel and interior and under-the-hood parts. An internal life cycle assessment (LCA) showed SABIC T2E-3320EH PP compound offers a reduced product carbon footprint of up to 24% compared to the corresponding virgin PP compound because it incorporates 25% recycled PP.
SABIC’s XENOY T2NX2500UV resin contains 21% recycled PET. It provides excellent heat and impact performance, dimensional stability and low shrinkage for painted exterior body panels, spoilers, fuel filler doors and trim. It is also UV stabilized for potential use in unpainted applications. SABIC’s LCA data indicates this grade lowers global warming potential (GWP) by 11% and cumulative energy demand (CED) by 12% vs. virgin material.
SABIC’s XENOY T2NX5230 resin contains 16% mineral reinforcement and 29% recycled PET. Similar to XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, it delivers properties that make it a potential solution for painted body panels, trim and other components. The product’s reinforcement delivers higher stiffness and a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) compared to XENOY T2NX2500UV resin, making XENOY T2NX5230 resin a good candidate for roof spoilers and exterior trim. Both XENOY grades offer high flow for improved throughput.
SABIC’s complete TRUCIRCLE offering comprises design for recyclability services, mechanically recycled materials, certified circular products from chemical recycling of used plastics and certified renewable polymers from bio-based feedstock.
As MRC reported earlier, in April 2021, SABIC announced the launch of a new recycled material made from ocean bound plastic which had been recovered from ocean-feeding waterways and inland areas within a 50 kilometer radius of the ocean. The ocean bound material is mechanically recycled and converted into components for new consumer goods and electronics applications, such as TV remote controls and electronic razors. It has the potential to also be used in other industries in the future, such as automotive. According to the company's statement, part of SABIC’S TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services, the new recycled material is a XENOY PC/PET compound comprising of a minimum 10% recycled ocean bound PET blended with PC.
According to MRC' ScanPlast report, overall estimated consumption of PC granules in the Russian market were almost 56,000 tonnes in January-July 2021, down by 3% year on year (58,000 tonnes).
SABIC ranks among the world's top petrochemical companies. The company is among the world's market leaders in the production of polyethylene, polypropylene and other advanced thermoplastics, glycols, methanol and fertilizers.
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