SABIC Launches World's First Certified Bio-Based, Renewable High-Performance Amorphous Polymer to Help Customers Achieve Sustainability Goals

Bergen-Opzoom, The Netherlands, October 26, 2021 - SABIC, a globally diversified chemical company, today launched a new family of bio-based ULTEM™ resins that combine the outstanding performance and processability of existing ULTEM materials On top of that, sustainability benefits are added
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This breakthrough polyetherimide (PEI) material is the industry's first certified renewable, high-performance amorphous, high-heat-resistant polymer
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According to the mass balance method, for every 100 kg of ULTEM resin produced, about 25.
5 kg of the raw material comes from bio-based materials extracted from waste or residues (such as crude tall oil from the wood industry) to replace the original Some fossil-based raw materials
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The new bio-based ULTEM resin brings a ready-to-use material solution to help customers achieve their sustainability goals in consumer electronics, aerospace, automotive and other industries that require high temperature resistance, dimensional stability or demanding mechanical properties
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"Our new bio-based ULTEM resin platform helps customers seamlessly incorporate sustainable solutions into their demanding applications," said Scott Fisher, business director of SABIC ULTEM resins and additives
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"As these products perform exactly the same as conventional ULTEM resins, and Meeting the same regulatory standards, such as UL94 and FDA food contact standards, means that customers no longer need to make adjustments to product design and manufacturing processes
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In addition, this series of materials has excellent environmental advantages and has obtained ISCC+ certification (International Sustainability and carbon certification), thus another innovative milestone in SABIC’s strategy to achieve circularity in material solutions
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Compared to existing grades of fossil-based materials, the new bio-based ULTEM resin can reduce the carbon footprint by up to 10%, resulting in the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+)
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The certification is based on an internal assessment based on ISO14040/14044 life cycle analysis
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SABIC used its own data, as well as the latest manufacturing data and industry average estimates, to conduct a cradle-to-gate comparison of these resin materials
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In addition, bio-based ULTEM resins are compliant with the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations and the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive (RoHS)
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Greg Stoddard, Director of Technology and Innovation at SABIC, said: "The bio-based feedstocks used in the new ULTEM materials do not alter performance characteristics, including long-term high temperature and chemical resistance, excellent mechanical and structural properties, dimensional and hydrolytic stability, excellent excellent processability and inherent flame retardancy
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With the same reliable mechanical properties as their fossil-based counterparts, bio-based ULTEM grades can be used as an alternative to traditional ULTEM resins or sulfone-based polymers such as PSU, PESU and PPSU
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Potential markets and applications for this family of resins may include consumer electronics (wearables and mobile devices), automotive (under-the-hood (UTH) applications such as connectors, sensors and valves), aerospace (interiors such as panels and trim), Industries such as healthcare (surgical equipment and sterilization trays) and electrical/electronics (5G network infrastructure)
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To meet the regulatory requirements of these industries, the new ULTEM materials meet global drinking water standards, Federal Aviation Regulations (FAR 25.
853), and food contact material standards set by the U.
S.
Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
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Bio-based ULTEM resins are available globally, with availability in Europe, Asia Pacific and North America
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