SABIC launches new PBT compounds with glass fibers from industrial waste streams

Recently, SABIC released two new polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) compounds, LNP Elcrin WF006XXPiQ and LNP Elcrin WF0061XPiQ
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These are the first two grades in a new material portfolio that incorporates pre-consumer recycled glass fibers diverted from industrial process waste streams
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Reinforced with 30% pre-consumer recycled short glass fibers, these PBT compounds have the same mechanical properties and color as Elcrin iQ grades reinforced with virgin glass fibers; in addition, they reduce the carbon footprint of Elcrin iQ materials and are produced from waste water bottles by using Recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) reduces plastic waste
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Luc Govaerts, Director of Formulation and Application Development for SABIC's Specialty Materials business, said: "We are constantly seeking new ways to accelerate the achievement of carbon neutrality for our materials in our portfolio
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This work includes evaluating the performance of our thermoplastic compounds.
each ingredient, and working with others along the value chain to identify potential alternatives that can drive the cycle
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Central to this process is prioritizing customer needs that result in greater sustainability combined with superior performance , consistent quality and machining efficiency go hand in hand
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"The short glass fibers used in these new Elcrin iQ materials contain 100% recycled content according to the Evaluation Laboratory's Recycled Content Verification Program (UL 2809) using a mass balance approach
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Compared to virgin PBT reinforced with virgin glass fibers , the LNP Elcrin WF006XXPiQ compound contains 67% recycled content and has a 29% lower carbon footprint, while the LNP Elcrin WF0061XPiQ compound contains 55% recycled content and a 24% lower carbon footprint
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Due to its properties - stiffness and strength, chemical resistance and colorability - the material can be used in the consumer electronics, automotive, electrical and electronics industries
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The new compounds can replace the original PBT and Elcrin iQ grades, enabling customers to improve the sustainability of their applications without requiring changes in design or tooling
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SABIC plans to expand the use of pre-consumer recycled fiberglass to reinforcing compounds based on other resins in its specialty products
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"These two next-generation materials create new possibilities for customers to advance their carbon neutrality strategies by further increasing the recycled content they use and reducing the carbon footprint of their applications, while maintaining equal performance and processability
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" Darpan Parikh, Head of Global Product Management, LNP Portfolio, SABIC's Specialty Materials business unit, said, "For SABIC, the move to use pre-consumer recycled glass fiber reinforces our commitment to optimizing resource use and contributing to our customers' net-zero carbon goals.

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