SABIC contributes to net-zero carbon goals

Since the introduction of LNP ELCRIN iQ materials in late 2019, Saudi Arabia-based SABIC has helped divert more than 100 million single-use 16.9 oz. (50 cl) PET water bottles from landfills and incinerators. This portfolio of globally available polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) materials is produced from post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) water bottles through a unique chemical upcycling process.

SABIC recently completed a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comparing virgin PBT and LNP ELCRIN iQ resin, which underwent a third-party critical review following ISO 14040/14044 standards. Results indicated that LNP ELCRIN iQ resin lowered global warming impact by 29% and cut cumulative energy demand by 43% compared to virgin PBT. LNP ELCRIN iQ resins also show favorable LCA results compared to data for other virgin base resins, such as polyamide (PA) 6,6 and PA6, extracted from Plastics Europe Eco-Profiles.

“Our innovative LNP ELCRIN iQ materials help address environmental megatrends such as the circular economy and the reduction of plastic waste to benefit customers and society at large,” said Joshua Chiaw, director, business management LNP & NORYL, SABIC. “Not only do our resins deliver independently verified sustainability benefits, but they can serve as a drop-in replacement for virgin PBT to help manufacturers increase the sustainability of end products. With many different grades available, including glass- and mineral-reinforced products and non-halogenated flame-retardant formulations, LNP ELCRIN iQ resins could be considered for a wide range of applications, including consumer electronic enclosures and components, automotive exterior parts, healthcare applications, and personal care products.”

To offer independent verification of recycled content and responsible sourcing practices, SABIC engaged SCS Global Services (SCS), a leader in third-party environmental, sustainability, food safety, and quality certifications, to audit the processes used to source manufacture its LNP ELCRIN iQ resins. These certifications help customers make better-informed decisions when choosing materials that can strengthen their position on sustainability.

“SABIC is focused on helping customers achieve their sustainability goals by providing plastic materials that support circularity without sacrificing the mechanical performance, chemical resistance, or color ability required for the end-use product,” said Maureen MacDonald-Stein, director, Growth OEM & Markets, SABIC. “The manufacturing processes for our LNP ELCRIN iQ resins have been audited for adherence to the SCS Recycled Content Standard, and the supply chain has been audited for responsible sourcing including social, environmental health, and safety requirements, enabling customers to quantify the contribution of our materials to their sustainability targets. Recycled content and responsible sourcing verification can increase customer confidence in our upcycled resins and underscore the multiple benefits these materials can provide in terms of environmental protection.”

These certificates are conveniently posted on the SCS Certified Green Products Guide. The responsible sourcing verification covering multiple LNP ELCRIN iQ products attests to SABIC’s focus on environmental impacts across the entire value chain.

SABIC is a global diversified chemicals company headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It manufactures globally in the Americas, Europe, Middle East, and the Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity, and high-performance plastics, agri-nutrients, and metals. SABIC supports its customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end-use applications such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation, and clean energy. Production in 2020 was 60.8 million metric tons.

The company has more than 32,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, SABIC has 9,946 global patent filings and has significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia, and North Asia.