SABIC has unveiled its new LNP ELCRIN WF006XXPiQ and LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compounds, the first two grades in a new portfolio of materials that incorporate pre-consumer recycled glass fiber diverted from the waste stream of industrial processes.

These polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) compounds, each reinforced with 30% pre-consumer recycled short glass fiber, offer mechanical properties and color equivalency of ELCRIN iQ grades that use virgin glass fiber reinforcement. The new technology further decreases the carbon footprint of ELCRIN iQ materials, which already support the circular economy and help reduce plastic waste by using upcycled polyethylene terephthalate from discarded water bottles.

The company is one of the first material suppliers to adopt pre-consumer recycled glass fiber for thermoplastic compounds. The short glass fiber used in these new ELCRIN iQ materials contains 100% recycled content according to Underwriters Laboratories’ Recycled Content Validation procedure (UL 2809), following the mass balance approach. Compared to virgin PBT reinforced with virgin glass fiber, LNP ELCRIN WF006XXPiQ compound contains 67% recycled content and lowers carbon footprint by 29%, while LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compound contains 55% recycled content and reduces carbon footprint by 24%.

SABIC is one of the first material suppliers to adopt pre-consumer recycled glass fiber for thermoplastic compounds. Source: SABIC

In addition to their improved sustainability profile, these materials deliver good structural performance (stiffness and strength), chemical resistance and colorability for applications in the consumer electronics, automotive, and electrical and electronics industries. Furthermore, the new LNP ELCRIN WF0061XPiQ compound offers non-halogenated flame retardance. As a drop-in replacement for incumbent virgin PBT and ELCRIN iQ grades, the two new compounds enable customers to increase application sustainability without the need for design or tooling changes.