New PBT compound contains glass fibers in industrial waste streams

Sabic has launched two new PBT compounds - LNP Elcrin WF006XXPiQ and LNP Elcrin WF0061XPiQ - which represent the first two grades in a new material portfolio that includes pre-consumer diversion from waste streams from industrial processes Recycle fiberglass
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These PBT compounds are individually reinforced with 30% pre-consumer recycled short glass fibers and have the same mechanical properties and color as Elcrin iQ grades reinforced with virgin glass fibers
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The new technology further reduces the carbon footprint of Elcrin iQ materials, which already support a circular economy, and helps reduce plastic waste by using PET recycled from discarded water bottles
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"We're constantly looking for new ways to accelerate carbon neutrality for all of our materials," said Luc Govaerts, Director of Formulation and Application Development for Sabic's Specialty Materials business.
"This work includes evaluating every component of our thermoplastic compounds, And work with others in the value chain to identify potential alternatives that can drive the cycle
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Central to this process is prioritizing customer needs so that greater sustainability is linked to outstanding performance, consistent quality and Machining efficiency complements each other
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Sabic was one of the first material suppliers to manufacture thermoplastic compounds from pre-consumer recycled fiberglass
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The short glass fibers used in these new Elcrin iQ materials contain 100% recycled content using the mass balance method according to Underwriters Laboratories' Recycled Content Verification Program (UL 2809)
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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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In addition to improving sustainability status, these materials have structural properties in terms of stiffness and strength, chemical resistance and colorability for applications in the consumer electronics, automotive, electrical and electronics industries
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In addition, the new LNP Elcrin WF0061XPiQ compound has halogen-free flame retardancy
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As drop-in replacements for existing virgin PBT and Elcrin iQ grades, these two new compounds enable customers to increase the sustainability of their applications without changing designs or tooling
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Darpan Parikh, Head of Global Product Management, LNP Portfolio, Sabic’s Specialty Materials business unit, said: “These two next-generation materials offer customers new possibilities by further increasing the amount of recycling they use and reducing the carbon footprint of their applications.
volume, while maintaining the same performance and processability, providing customers with a carbon neutral strategy
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For Sabic, the move to recycle pre-consumer fiberglass reinforces our commitment to optimizing resource use and contributes to customer net Zero carbon goal
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Sabic plans to expand the use of pre-consumer recycled fiberglass to reinforced composites based on other resins in its specialty products
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Samples of these new products are available worldwide; formulations can be tailored to customers' specific needs
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