SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, is showcasing a broad selection of sustainable and circular material solutions for functional, safe and aesthetic consumer goods (CG) and home appliances at K 2022. Application examples on display at Booth D42 in Hall 6 during the show from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
SABIC are demonstrating the trends in the market across four key driving needs: waste reduction, circularity, use of renewable feedstock, and enhanced consumer appeal. Many of them have been developed in dedicated collaboration with value chain partners and align closely with SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE™ program to accelerate the journey towards real circularity without compromising product performance and cost efficiency.
Plastics play an important role in the manufacture of consumer goods as well as small and large home appliances, which have become ever-present in our daily lives. In view of a rising middle class in an increasingly urban population worldwide, manufacturers are continuously striving to create stronger, lighter and more durable products offering excellent aesthetics, greater functionality and higher performance along with sustainable energy and resource efficiency. SABIC offers a comprehensive portfolio of tailor-made polymer solutions to meet these challenges and megatrends.
Reduce waste
One of the most effective means of reducing waste is the use of durable yet lightweight applications designed for lower material consumption, longer life, reusability and recycling.
- Food containers: Made with 85% of certified renewable SABIC® PP polymer from bio-based feedstock, EMSA’s Clip & Close lightweight containers are compliant with food safety standards and make a significant contribution to waste reduction. The material offers the same high quality and purity as competitive fossil-based virgin PP and helps reduce CO2 emissions by an average of 4 kg per each kilogram used while cutting fossil depletion by up to 80%. Read more.
Circular solutions
SABIC’s certified circular polymers are based on a mass balance accounting approach according to ISCC PLUS, validating the feedstock content from advanced chemical recycling of mixed plastic waste and contributing to the mitigation of fossil depletion.
Solutions using mechanically recycled ocean plastic which can help remove valuable use plastic from oceanic waterways or adjacent shores.
- Active charcoal mask packaging: The new Origins charcoal mask packaging will feature a tube and cap design using certified circular PE and PP, respectively, from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio. The innovative solution was developed in close collaboration between The Estée Lauder Companies, packaging manufacturer Albéa and SABIC. It is considered a role model application for accelerating the change to a more circular economy in this market segment. Read more.
- Computer mouse: A 2022 Edison Awards Silver winner, Microsoft’s Ocean Plastic Mouse, has an exterior shell made from SABIC’s XENOY™ PC/PBT resin that contains 20% recycled ocean plastic. The collaborative solution supports the customer’s commitment to achieve zero waste by 2030 and helps reduce ocean plastic. The material satisfies the demanding Microsoft quality standards while even doubling the initial target of 10 to 20% recycled content by weight in the external shell of the mouse. Read more.
Renewable feedstock
SABIC’s certified renewable solutions from its TRUCIRCLE portfolio are produced from bio-based feedstock, offering the same high quality and purity as virgin material, and are ISCC PLUS mass balance accredited. As drop-in solutions for replacing fossil-based materials, enhance the renewability of consumer products while reducing their environmental footprint, preserving product quality without impact on processing and maintaining the recyclability of the application.
- Sparkling water maker: Mysoda has revolutionized water carbonation for consumers by bringing to market a sparkling water maker that is produced with a bio-composite consisting of close to 100% renewable materials from UPM Formi EcoAce. UPM Formi EcoAce biocomposite contains certified wood and certified renewable PP polymer from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio, that are linked to wood based feedstock from UPM Biofuels production. Read more.
- Toys: Mattel is the first company in the toys market to work with SABIC in a mass balance approach designed to return second-generation renewable feedstock into high-quality new plastic applications. The partnership directly supports Mattel’s goal to achieve 100% recycled, recyclable or bio-based plastic materials in its products and packaging by 2030. First products of this joint initiative are MEGA™ BLOKS and Matchbox toys using certified renewable PP polymers from SABIC. MEGA BLOKS Green Town is the first-ever toy line available at mass retail to be certified carbon neutral. A cradle-to-gate lifecycle analysis has concluded that each kg of SABIC’s bio-based resins reduces CO2 emissions by an average of 4 kg as compared to fossil-based virgin alternatives, while at the same time cutting fossil depletion by up to 80%. Read more.
- Cosmetic cream jars & lids: The world-leading NIVEA Naturally Good range of day and night face creams is offered in jars manufactured with certified renewable PP resin from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio. Developed in close collaboration between Beiersdorf, and SABIC, the application project was advanced from concept to implementation in just nine months. According to Beiersdorf’s internal LCA study, approx. 76 g of CO2 are saved per each jar produced, which represents a reduction of around 60% compared to the former fossil-based jar. Read more.
Consumer appeal & function
Beyond sustainability, many consumer goods must also meet strict safety regulations while providing enhanced aesthetic appeal and function.
- Active noise-cancelling earbuds: QuietOn’s wireless earbuds are considered to be the world’s smallest and best noise-cancelling active earplugs. For the latest QuietOn 3 model, the customer selected a CYCOLOY™ PC/ABS resin from SABIC, which ensures appealing surface aesthetics with molded-in RAL 9010 colour and provides a UL94 V0 flammability rating derived from an incorporated bromine-free and halogen-free flame retardant. Read more.
- Packaging masterbatches: Gabriel Chemie is using certified circular and renewable PE and PP polymers from SABIC in a range of highly sustainable masterbatches produced for compounders and processors of high-quality polyolefin materials in the cosmetics packaging market. The virgin-like purity of the circular and renewable products ensures excellent processability for optimum melt quality while also facilitating the formulation of laser markable polyolefins for further ease of recycling. Read more.
Visit SABIC during K 2022 from October 19 to 26 in Düsseldorf, Germany, at Booth D42 in Hall 6 to learn more about these and other advanced solutions. The company’s experts will also be available at the booth to discuss how SABIC’s materials portfolio and design services for sustainable consumer goods, electric and electronic appliances can help you accelerate your journey towards circularity and reduce the climate impact of your products. Visit our website covering all application examples for consumer goods.