MOSCOW (MRC) -- Saudi Basic Industries (SABIC), the world's fourth-biggest petrochemicals firm, and Malaysia-based plastic recycling company HHI, have announced a new collaboration to create the first certified circular polymers produced through the advanced recycling of recovered mixed and used ocean-bound plastic, according to Hydrocarbonprocessing.
The certified circular polyolefins from ocean-bound plastic, from SABIC’s Trucircle portfolio of circular solutions will be used by SABIC’s customers to announce new products over the coming months.
As well as helping to protect our oceans and waterways, the ocean-bound plastic collection helps to create value for local communities by increasing demand for recycled plastic across the industry. The material is recovered from ocean-feeding waterways and inland areas within a 50 kilometer radius of the ocean by HHI partners predominantly in Malaysia.
The recovered material is then sent to HHI, where they convert the used plastic into pyrolysis oil through an advanced recycling. The pyrolysis oil is then used by SABIC in their production process as an alternative to traditional fossil materials to make new certified circular polymers. The material has been certified under the Zero Plastic Oceans accreditation, and HHI is the first organization to have received certification confirming the materials it recycles qualify as ocean-bound.
HHI created its own model to outline the steps required to facilitate the transition to a circular economy. The model has five stages which are to collect ocean-bound plastic through its extensive network, convert them into high-quality, manufacturable materials, collaborate with partners to create new products, provide customers with the platform to champion their use of more sustainable materials and catalyze a generation of conscientious consumers who will opt for sustainable materials.
The circular polymers produced from ocean-bound plastic form part of SABIC’s Trucircle portfolio and services for circular innovations. Launched in 2019, SABIC’s Trucircle portfolio spans mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from advanced recycling of used plastic and certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock, as well as design for recyclability and closed loop recycling initiatives.
As MRC reported earlier, in October 2021, SABIC announced plans on Saturday to meet carbon neutrality by 2050.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated PE consumption totalled 1,868,160 tonnes in the first nine months of 2021, up by 18% year on year. Shipments of all grades of ethylene polymers increased. At the same time, PP shipments to the Russian market were 1,138,510 tonnes in January-September 2021, up by 30% year on year. Supply of propylene homopolymer (homopolymer PP) and block-copolymers of propylene (PP block copolymers) increased, whereas supply of injection moulding statistical copolymers of propylene (PP random copolymers) decreased significantly.
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.
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