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MOSCOW (MRC) -- SABIC, a global
leader in the chemical industry, has recently collaborated with DSM and Viscofan
in the development of an innovative multi-barrier film for meat casings, as per
SABIC's press release.
The film combines layers of a SABIC’s certified
circular polyethylene (PE) from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio and a circular polyamide
(PA) from DSM Engineering Materials in a more sustainable packaging solution
without compromising the high functional and aesthetic performance required in
the fresh food packaging market.
The resulting multi-barrier packaging
film, manufactured by Viscofan, a world leader in casings for meat products, is
designed to help extend the shelf life of products - thus reducing the
waste of food - and effectively mitigating against the depletion of fossil
resources by capturing the value of used plastic as a feedstock for new
food-grade materials. The solution aims to support the growing demand among
end-users and consumers for packaging products that can make a significant
contribution to reducing the environmental footprint in our
society.
“This successful project is notable proof of our determination
to partner will players across the value chain willing to share our drive in the
industry for implementing a truly circular plastics economy,” states Fahad
Al-Swailem, Vice President, PE Business and Sales of Petrochemicals at SABIC.
“Relationships like these are instrumental in bringing commercially viable and
more sustainable solutions to the packaging market. The certified circular
products from our TRUCIRCLE portfolio can help support our environment and can
help both packaging manufacturers and the food industry address their
sustainability objectives and help stop plastic becoming waste.”
As
further demonstration of collaboration across the value chain, SABIC provided
certified circular benzene made from feedstock recycling to Cepsa – a global
energy and chemical supplier - , who manufactured certified circular phenol that
is used as a building block in production process for DSM’s circular PA. Adds
Joost d’Hooghe, VP Business Line at DSM Engineering Materials: “By introducing
circular PA, we are taking an exciting next step in our sustainability journey
towards expanding DSM’s comprehensive materials portfolio by 2030 with a full
range of bio-based and/or recycle-based alternatives. The co-development of a
recycle-based film for packaging applications underlines our commitment to
working closely with partners, customers and suppliers to realize a more
sustainable value chain and economy.”
The certified circular SABIC PE and
DSM PA polymers in the multi-layered high-barrier film casings are fully
accredited under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC
PLUS) scheme which uses a mass balance approach. The certified circular
polyethylene and benzene in SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio are based on used and
post-consumer plastics which would otherwise be discarded as landfill or lost to
incineration. Using advanced recycling, the used plastic is converted into a new
feedstock, which then enters the production chain to deliver new virgin-quality
materials. Mass balance accounting provides a method of asserting the recycled
content in those materials along predefined and transparent rules by independent
third-party laboratories.
The certified circular materials offer drop-in
solutions for replacing fossil-based plastics in the packaging industry without
compromising on product purity and food safety. Packaging film using certified
circular PE polymer from SABIC offers an excellent balance of toughness, barrier
performance and aesthetics for a wide range of flexible packaging applications.
In addition, it easily lends itself to multi-layer film structures manufactured
on common production equipment.
“By combining our capacity for innovation
and the latest available technology, we today have reached a unique solution in
the market using post-consumer recycled plastics”, Oscar Ponz, Chief Plastic
Business Officer at Viscofan explains. “Today’s announcement is a result of the
shared commitment to make food systems fair, healthy and environmentally
friendly for a more sustainable future. This important project is being
developed with the collaboration of important Viscofan customers like El
Pozo.”
SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE program spans from design for recyclability
services and mechanically recycled materials to certified circular products from
feedstock recycling of used plastics as well as certified renewable polymers
from bio-based feedstock. Read more here.
As MRC reported earlier,
in November 2020, SABIC announced the successful commercialization of LEXAN
HP92AF Anti-Fog film, targeted especially at demanding COVID-19 protection
equipment such as safety face shields and goggles in front-line work
environments.
According to MRC's DataScope report,
PE imports to Russia decreased in January-November 2020 by 17% year on year and
reached 569,900 tonnes. High density polyethylene (HDPE) accounted for the
greatest reduction in imports.
Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (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. |
