Bales of collected post-consumer mixed plastic, ready to be upcycled
Sabic introduces its certified circular polycarbonate (PC) resin and blends made from the upcycling of post-consumer mixed plastic – a first in the industry, according to the company. An internal Sabic LCA study1 indicates the certified circular polycarbonate offers a potential carbon footprint reduction up to 23% compared to its incumbent.
Part of Sabic’s Trucircle portfolio, the certified circular polycarbonate is produced through the recycling of post-consumer mixed plastic that would otherwise be destined for incineration or landfill. Through a process called pyrolysis, difficult-to-recycle used plastic is broken down into a liquid called pyrolysis oil. This is then used as a feedstock to create certified circular building blocks for high-performance plastics with the same properties as the virgin material – in this case, polycarbonate.
Polycarbonate – more specifically Lexan resin – forms part of Sabic’s extensive ETP portfolio including PC blends such as Cycoloy and Xenoy resins. Customers across a range of industries may use the certified circular polycarbonate under identical process conditions to those used for its incumbent, according to Sabic.
The polycarbonate is certified by an independent third party under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS) scheme using a standardized mass balance approach, which provides a method of asserting the recycled material content along predefined and transparent rules. In addition, the widely recognized ISCC PLUS accreditation provides traceability along Sabic’s physical-linked supply chain, from the feedstock to the final product, requiring a chain of custody based on the mass balance system.
Launched in 2019, Sabic’s Trucircle portfolio reportedly is a considerable milestone on the company’s journey towards closing the loop and creating a circular economy for plastics and providing manufacturers with access to more sustainable materials. The Trucircle portfolio spans design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of used plastics, certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock and closed loop initiatives to recycle plastic back into high quality applications and helps prevent valuable used plastics from becoming waste.
For more information, visit: www.sabic.com
