SABIC: New Bio-Based Polycarbonate Copolymer Resins Helping Consumer Electronics Industry Achieve Net-Zero Carbon Emissions

SABIC, a global chemical industry leader, has introduced LNP™ ELCRIN™ EXL7414B copolymer, the company's first bio-based polycarbonate (PC) copolymer to help drive the consumer electronics industry toward net-zero carbon emissions
.
This new copolymer is the first grade in an expanding product portfolio to receive International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC+)
.
According to the mass balance method, more than 50% of the bio-based ingredients in its formula come from waste and do not compete with the food chain
.
The company's initial internal assessment indicated that each kilogram of the new bio-based resin could save two kilograms of carbon dioxide compared to fossil-based alternatives
.
LNP ELCRIN EXL resin joins SABIC's rapidly growing portfolio of bio-based materials, which also includes ULTEM™ resins and LNP™ THERMOCOMP™ compounds
.

Famous Chinese brand Realme has selected LNP ELCRIN EXL7414B copolymer resin for the battery cover of its new GT 2 Pro smartphone launched in China on January 4, 2022
.
"Our partnership with SABIC has successfully applied this new bio-based copolymer to our GT 2 series of smartphones, helping us achieve competitive differentiation and a stronger sustainability posture," said Realme Global Vice President and Chief Executive Officer Marketing Officer Chase Xu said, "The use of bio-based materials is an important selling point for consumers, who are increasingly looking for sustainable products
.
In addition, the use of LNP ELCRIN EXL copolymer resin allows our company to operate without compromising products.
performance to advance its environmental goals
.
This application is the latest culmination of our ongoing collaboration with SABIC
.
”

Realme is the first consumer electronics brand to use an existing version of this material, LNP™ ELCRIN™ EXL7414 resin, which is used in the battery cover of its C25 smartphone
.
Realme is now one of the first electronics companies to use bio-based copolymers, showing its continued innovation
.
The new copolymer has the same excellent properties and processing technology as the former, allowing Realme to achieve a seamless transition
.

"Developing bio-based thermoplastics is an important part of SABIC's overall sustainability strategy, which also includes chemical upcycling and mechanical recycling," said Maureen MacDonald-Stein, Director of Growth OEM, Specialty Products, SABIC.
and technical resources to create and deliver new materials to help customers like Realme achieve their goals of reducing emissions and saving energy, avoiding plastic waste and complying with regulations
.
”

Sustainability + High Performance at SABIC

In addition to lowering the carbon footprint by reducing the use of fossil-based feedstocks, LNP ELCRIN EXL7414B copolymer resin provides excellent performance for demanding electronic applications
.
It features a bromine-free, chlorine-free flame retardant formulation that is UL 94 V0 compliant at 0.
6mm
.

Both LNP ELCRIN EXL7414 and the new LNP ELCRIN EXL7414B copolymer resin help address the new IEC 62368-1 standard harmonized by the International Electrotechnical Commission, which replaces the previous IEC 60065 audiovisual and IEC 60950 IT equipment standards with stronger security requirements
.
For example, the new standard, which goes into effect in December 2020, requires that hazardous energy sources, such as lithium-ion batteries, be controlled with built-in safeguards to help prevent the transfer of energy to device users
.

The excellent processability of the bio-based LNP ELCRIN EXL7414B copolymer resin enables ultra-thin part designs, which saves weight and space, and offers opportunities for shorter cycle times and higher yields compared to standard PC
.
The new material also has excellent low-temperature ductility (-40°C), impact strength when equipment is dropped, and good chemical resistance to withstand ultraviolet (UV)-cured paints
.

“Our novel bio-based copolymers are particularly beneficial for the consumer electronics market
,” said Joshua Chiaw, business management director at SABIC LNP and NORYL.
“They combine sustainability with superior performance to address key trends in electronic devices: including more Smaller, thinner designs, increasingly stringent safety regulations, and strong consumer preference for environmentally friendly products
.
To further support this important segment and the electrical/electronics industry as a whole, the company plans to add new additions to our bio-based LNP ELCRIN EXL range number
.
"