In a world where sustainability and resource conservation are becoming increasingly important, plastic recycling is gaining significance alongside the diverse portfolio of high-performance bioplastics. PET, in particular—which is mainly used in beverage bottles—is a key focus of the circular economy. Millions of metric tons of this plastic are consumed and discarded every year. Yet it’s actually far too good to end up in the trash. This is where SABIC’s advanced recycling technology comes in, transforming PET bottles into a high-performance polymer that meaningfully complements our range of sustainable materials for future-proof plastics. Elcrin™ is used in a wide variety of applications—from the cosmetics industry to flame-retardant electronic components and medical instruments, all the way to everyday items such as cutlery.
Turn it into something new—with LNP™ ELCRIN™ iQ upcycling technology
SABIC’s LNP™ ELCRIN™ iQ upcycling technology uses chemical depolymerization to convert recycled PET into a PBT polymer that is as good as new. The various ELCRIN™ iQ grades consist of up to 56% chemically processed base polymer, which reduces the carbon footprint compared to conventional PBT. At the same time, it offers the same mechanical and electrical properties, UL listings, and medical and food-contact approvals as conventional PBT.
A field trial demonstrates just how easy it is to replace conventional PBT 1:1 with LNP™ ELCRIN™ iQ as a “drop-in” solution. In this trial, a pallet of the polymer was delivered to the production gates of Koziol, the company that developed the innovative KLIKK plastic cutlery. Thanks to equivalent mechanical properties and process parameters, as well as food-contact approvals, the material could be processed without any issues using the existing mold. The result: high-quality cutlery with a lower carbon footprint.
