SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, introduced today the company’s first automotive
grades containing mechanically recycled content within the company’s TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio of circular
solutions and services. The new resins are SABIC® T2E-3320EH PP compound, a high-flow, low-emission,
talc-filled polypropylene (PP); XENOY™ T2NX2500UV resin, an unfilled, UV-stabilized blend of
polycarbonate (PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET); and XENOY™ T2NX5230 resin, a mineral-filled
PC/PET blend. All three materials contain up to 29% recycled content and offer excellent
performance similar to that of the incumbent virgin resins, giving automotive customers new options
that can help them address their sustainability goals.
“The new TRUCIRCLE materials support the automotive industry’s sustainability initiatives by providing
an opportunity to extend the life of plastic waste and helping to increase value from post-consumer
products,” said Abdullah Al-Otaibi, general manager, ETP & Market Solutions, SABIC. “These new
products are the first of many SABIC resins to be introduced with mechanically recycled content for
potential use in interior and exterior automotive applications. They also may complement other types of
sustainable materials, such as certified renewable products from bio-based content, which we are also
developing. It’s all part of SABIC’s strategy to accelerate towards a true circular economy.”
Lowering carbon footprint
SABIC is launching these three grades to support various new automotive applications. SABIC
T2E-3320EH PPcompound features stiffness, low emissions and high heat resistance for non-visible
heating/ventilation/air conditioning (HVAC) components within the instrument panel and interior and
under-the-hood parts. An internal life cycle assessment (LCA) showed SABIC T2E-3320EH PPcompound
offers a reduced product carbon footprint of up to 24% compared to the corresponding virgin PP
compound because it incorporates 25% recycled PP.
SABIC’s XENOY T2NX2500UV resin contains 21% recycled PET. It provides excellent heat and
impact performance, dimensional stability and low shrinkage for painted exterior body panels, spoilers,
fuel filler doors and trim. It is also UV stabilized for potential use in unpainted applications. SABIC’s LCA
data indicates this grade lowers global warming potential (GWP) by 11% and cumulative energy
demand (CED) by 12% vs. virgin material.
SABIC’s XENOY T2NX5230 resin contains 16% mineral reinforcement and 29% recycled PET.
Similar to XENOY™ T2NX2500UV resin, it delivers properties that make it a potential solution for
painted body panels, trim and other components. The product’s reinforcement delivers higher stiffness
and a lower coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) compared to XENOY T2NX2500UV resin,
making XENOY T2NX5230 resin a good candidate for roof spoilers and exterior trim. Both XENOY
grades offer high flow for improved throughput.
SABIC’s complete TRUCIRCLE offering comprises design for recyclability services, mechanically recycled
materials, certified circular products from chemical recycling of used plastics and certified renewable
polymers from bio-based feedstock. Read more here.