SABIC recently launched its LNP ™ ELCRIN ™ iQ polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) modified resin product line. This series of products are processed and recycled from recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) to support a circular economy and reduce plastic waste. SABIC uses chemical depolymerization to convert used PET (mainly disposable beverage bottles) into higher-performance and more durable high-value PBT materials to promote the use of recycled resin. In addition, calculated based on the cumulative energy consumption (CED) and global warming potential (GWP), the material also reduces the environmental impact of the product from production to consumption compared to native PBT resins.

Higher performance and longer life than PET

SABIC's LNP ELCRIN iQ modified materials and blends are processed using the company's proprietary technology and upgraded and synthesized iQ PBT resin. This technology overcomes many limitations of physical recycling by chemically depolymerizing PET bottles and other PET waste materials into their precursor chemicals and purifying them to produce new PBT resins. Recycled new materials have a range of performance and processing advantages, such as good chemical resistance, colorability, and high fluidity, which help speed up production cycles and improve flame retardancy (FR).

LNP ELCRIN iQ resin is a direct solution to replace native PBT and other traditional PBT materials, helping manufacturers more easily improve the sustainability of their products. By replacing the native materials required for PBT production, LNP ELCRIN iQ resins have been proven to reduce energy consumption and carbon footprint by up to 61% and 49% in peer-reviewed life cycle assessments1. In addition, each kilogram of LNP ELCRIN iQ resin is equivalent to saving up to 67 used PET water bottles (0.5 liters).

The ELCRIN iQ product line offers customers a variety of grades, including glass and mineral reinforced grades, as well as non-halogenated flame retardant and UV resistant formulations. Some of these LNP ELCRIN iQ grade products have the potential to meet FDA food contact regulations.

Potential applications for these new polymers are consumer electronics, automotive connectors, and durable internal and aesthetic components for medical device housings, helping to extend the useful life of disposable primary PET resins and enabling them to be used for longer periods of time.

Joshua Chiaw, Global Business Director of SABIC LNP, said: "In the traditional physical recycling process, PET bottles discarded by consumers have basically lost their original value and performance. This is a degraded recycling process that limits recycling. PET application types. In contrast, SABIC's chemical upgrade resynthesis process helps improve the performance and quality of the final resin product. As a result, these PBT materials are more suitable for applications that require high durability. LNP ELCRIN iQ materials Helps reduce dependence on virgin resins and meet the growing demand for sustainable materials for industry and consumers. "

 "The development of the LNP ELCRIN iQ material marks an important step for SABIC on the road to sustainable development, reflecting the company's commitment to customers, to the global plastics industry and to the Alliance's 'Elimination of Waste Plastics' to End Plastic Waste), "added Frank Kuijpers, General Manager of Corporate Sustainability at SABIC." Our innovative process for single-use PET chemical recycling is in response to AEPW's mission to develop more Technology that reduces waste, makes plastic recycling easier, and creates new value from waste plastic. "