Sabic today held its press conference at the K 2019 plastics trade fair and has announced several new achievements in the field of circular economy.
The company launched its polycarbonate (PC) based on certified renewable feedstock—a first in the industry, providing Sabic and its customers with a solution that has the potential to reduce both carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and the use of fossil feedstock during production.
“Sabic’s market-leading move into the arena of polycarbonate based on certified renewable feedstock—part of our Trucircle initiative of circular solutions, is linked to the commitments of our customers, who increasingly require sustainable solutions in response to both consumer and regulatory demands,” said Abdulrahman al-Fageeh, executive vice president/petrochemicals. “This major milestone in Sabic’s strategic sustainability pathway now extends our offering beyond polyolefins, where we already have our existing certified circular and certified renewable portfolios,” he said. Sabic uses tall oil, a by-product obtained in wood pulp manufacture, in the production of benzene, which is then used to produce phenol, a PC feedstock. The PC will be produced initially at Sabic’s Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands, facilities, with global availability in the future. The certified PC resin may be used for applications in all market segments.
Sabic’s PC cradle-to-gate study reveals potentially significant reductions in carbon footprint (up to 50%) and fossil depletion impacts (up to 35%) for the production of PC resin based on the incorporation of renewable feedstock, in comparison to fossil-based PC production, the company says. PC, sold by Sabic under the Lexan trademark, forms part of the company’s extensive engineering thermoplastics portfolio. Customers can use the product based on certified, renewable feedstock on their existing equipment, under identical process conditions, Sabic says.
The company worked closely with The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification to provide proof of the incorporation of renewable feedstock in its PC production and the resulting sustainability claims, verified by independent third-party auditors. In addition, Cepsa (Madrid) is a strategic value chain partner in this project, supporting Sabic through the production of renewable intermediates.
The press conference was also chaired by Ernesto Occhiello, executive vice president/specialties, who outlined his vision for this part of Sabic’s business.
By Natasha Alperowic
Source: Chemical Week
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