SABIC launches copolymer resins with higher PCR content and performance
SABIC launched a new portfolio of 10 LNP ELCRIN copolymer resins, which are polycarbonate (PC)-based copolymer materials and contain up to 75% certified post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
Upgraded copolymer resins with PCR content
The new LNP copolymer resins act as an upgrade to SABIC’s existing materials that were previously made with PCR content. The new resins contain higher percentages of PCR content, 50-75%, which is certified by SCS Global Services.
Depending on the grade, they may provide low-temperature ductility, chemical and weathering resistance, good flow for easy processing, transparency, a wider color range for opaque materials, UV stability and thin-wall flame retardant (FR) meeting the UL94 V-0 rating at 0.6mm.
The upgraded copolymer resins fit applications such as housings of consumer electronic devices and charges, enclosures for 5G base station infrastructure and industrial components such as circuit breakers. In automotive, they can be also used for exterior grilles, pillars and trim.
The upgraded resins can be applied to housing of VR glasses and circuit breakers.
A closer look into the grades
One of the newly upgraded materials includes LNP ELCRIN EXL9253RCC copolymer resin, which contains 50% PCR content to reduce carbon footprint, while delivering excellent mechanical performance.
This opaque material provides robust low-temperature ductility down to -30°C, good chemical resistance and weatherability, thin-wall FR (UL94 V0 at 1.0mm) and a wide color space.
Serving as drop-in replacements, the sustainable LNP resins significantly reduce carbon emissions. For example, LNP EXL1484RCC resin, a non-FR grade containing 75% PCR content, reduces global warming potential (GWP) by 53% while providing comparable flow and mechanical properties.
Another new grade, flame-retardant LNP EXL7284RCC resin, also containing 75% PCR content, lowered GWP by 55%. Both GWP results are based on internal life cycle assessments.
