Sabic launches certified renewable polyolefins portfolio

Petrochemicals manufacturer Sabic has launched its first portfolio of certified renewable polyolefins, certified under the ISCC Plus certification scheme, which involves strict traceability and requires a chain of custody based on a mass balance system.

Mark Vester, business leader LL-LDPE, Sabic, adds: 'We have optimised our technology to allow the production of renewable PP and PE (polypropylene and polyethylene) using renewable feedstocks, which are made from waste fats and oils and are not in direct competition with the food chain, with equal performance to those produced with fossil fuels.'

The company is the first petrochemicals company to produce renewable second generation PP and PE, with an ability to crack heavy renewable feedstocks made from waste fats and oils in its assets.

'Our move into the certified renewable polyolefins area is linked to the needs of our customers who increasingly require sustainable packaging solutions in response to both consumer and regulatory demands,' says Mosaed Al-Ohali, EVP polymers, Sabic. 'These materials can be converted readily on their existing equipment with no investment needed, and can contribute to an improvement of sustainability of their products.'

Sabic worked closely with the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) organisation to prove the sustainability of the new feedstock. Independent third party auditors checked and ensured the reliable use of the mass balance system within the company.

The ISCC Plus certified PP and PE materials will be produced initially at Sabic's production facilities at Geleen in the Netherlands.