Renewable polyolefins from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio enter Japan market

SABIC brings certified renewable polyolefins from its TRUCIRCLE solutions into Japan’s packaging industry, providing new circular solutions for packaging producers and consumers in the country.

In an effort to promote the reduction of plastic waste under its strategic plan on plastic source recycling, Japan has introduced a mandatory minimum surcharge of US$0.01 per plastic shopping bag, which will take effect on July 1, 2020. Plastic bags made from a minimum of 25% renewable or bio-based materials will be exempted from the required surcharge.

Certified renewable polymers, one of the four pillars of SABIC's TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions, are resins and chemicals from bio-based feedstock that is not in direct competition with the human food chain, and can help to mitigate certain effects of climate change.

Having conducted an internal cradle-to-gate life-cycle analysis of their certified renewable polyolefins, SABIC found that from sourcing of raw feedstock to final production, the reduction in carbon footprint can be up to approximately 4 tons of CO2 per ton of renewable PE and PP polymer compared to fossil-based polyolefins. In addition, certified renewable polyolefins have been found to reduce the use of hydrocarbon resources by up to 80%.

The company has been working on creating solutions that can maximize the potential for plastics to be recycled and remade into new products and has been collaborating with upstream and downstream partners to achieve a transformation of the value chain to be built around circular economy principles.

SABIC introduces its TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions to support a circular economy together with value chain partners.

TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services of solutions proven to be a success

As the demands for sustainability and recyclability of packaging materials have been increasing, SABIC unveiled its new TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions at K 2019, which incorporate four highly innovative but distinct solutions, including: 

 ● SABIC’s flagship certified circular products made from the feedstock recycling of used plastics;

 ● SABIC’s certified renewable products;

 ● Mechanically recycled products; and

 ● Material solutions designed for recyclability.

The initiative has proven to be successful, as an array of consumer products developed by leading global brands are leveraging SABIC’s solutions to produce a variety of packaging materials. Some of these solutions were also on display at the K show.

Certified renewable polymers accredited through ISCC PLUS

SABIC’s certified renewable polymers are high-quality virgin polymers, based on second-generation, animal-free, bio-based feedstock such as waste from wood pulping process.

The renewable PE and PP polyolefins can help packaging producers address the growing demands of the industry with regards to driving more circular-based solutions. SABIC uses feedstock that is not in direct competition with the human food chain.

SABIC adopts the mass balance approach, a system designed to trace the flow of materials through a complex value chain. Like its certified circular products, the company’s certified renewable polymers address the criteria established by independent third party certification bodies accredited by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC PLUS).

The packaging industry looks for innovative materials meeting increased sustainability and recyclability demands.

Design for recyclability lays the foundation

Creating packaging solutions with recycling in mind from the inception is an important step to help enable recyclability. Therefore, design for recyclability is one of the four pillars of SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services.

For example, SABIC provides flexible packaging materials that are fully PE-based products for stretch hood packaging, helping to replace traditional EVA-based material structures and PVC-based cling wrap film materials.

The new SABIC BOPE polymers for BOPE films support recyclability through enabling mono-PE material structure in multilayer tenter frame of pouch packaging. The stand-up pouch packaging has very good printability, high mechanical properties and toughness, as well as very high sealing integrity.

The new SABIC BOPE polymers enable mono-PE material structure in multilayer tenter frame of pouch packaging.