SABIC launches ISCC Plus certified PP compounds & STAMAX resins based on renewable and recycled feedstock

 SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced that its production of a new range of SABIC® polypropylene (PP) compounds and STAMAX  PP resins based on bio-renewable and advanced recycled feedstock at Genk, Belgium, has received TÜV Nord accreditation under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS scheme. This certified product offering aligns with SABIC’s extensive TRUCIRCLE initiative for accelerating the transition of the plastics industry to a circular economy and meets a globally growing customer demand for more sustainable material solutions.

“We are extremely proud of being the first in the industry to obtain ISCC Plus certification for PP compounds and resins produced with feedstock from renewable and recycled sources. This gives our PP customers a valid alternative for enhancing their environmental balance and achieving ambitious sustainability targets,” says Lada Kurelec, General Manager for PP & E4P[1] Business, SABIC. “The large-scale production of these new materials at our manufacturing site in Genk also ensures security of supply, while it contributes to our efforts of mitigating the impact of our products on climate change and fossil depletion.”

The ISCC Plus certification honors the implementation of a mass balance accounting system that traces the material flow across complex supply chains from the feedstock to final products. The approach allows OEMs to document and quantify the sustainability of their applications made from certified materials. Moreover, brand owners can use the certification to highlight the sustainable material content of their products, offering consumers a more responsible choice. The mass balance accounting follows predefined and transparent rules, which then define whether a product can be classified as renewable or circular.

For SABIC, this means that for each ton of renewable or circular feedstock fed into the production process to substitute fossil-based feedstock, approximately one ton of the output material can be classified as either renewable or circular.

In addition, SABIC has performed a life cycle analysis (LCA) comparing the renewable and the traditional fossil-based routes according to PAS 2050[2] methodology for biogenic carbon accounting. The results show significant Global Warming Potential (GWP) reductions, with near CO2 neutrality achieved at a renewable content of 40 percent. On cradle-to-gate and cradle-to-gate plus end-of-life levels, each kilogram of SABIC® PP compound based on certified renewable feedstock can reduce fossil depletion by up to 40 percent and lessen the carbon footprint of applications by up to 95 percent.

Certified bio-renewable based SABIC PP compounds are targeted at high-performance automotive applications, from bumpers and painted or unpainted exterior trim components to interior door panels, instrument panels and visible interior trim. Certified bio-renewable based long-glass-fiber reinforced polypropylene STAMAX resins are targeted at structural automotive applications such as front-end carriers, instrument panel carriers, tailgate structures, door modules and others.

Certified bio-renewable based SABIC PP compounds and STAMAX resins can replace corresponding SABIC fossil-based grades with no need of lengthy technical validation, as they offer the exact same level of performance and quality.

BOREALIS IS INVESTING IN GLOBAL ASSETS TO SATISFY FUTURE DEMAND FOR HIGH-QUALITY WIRE AND CABLE COMPOUNDS

• EUR 200 million investment in European compounding assets ensures future availability of high-quality insulation and semiconductive materials to enable the energy transition
• Global asset footprint further extended thanks to acquisition of DYM Solution and investments in Baystar™ and Borealis Compounds Inc.

As leading innovators and reliable partners to the Wire & Cable (W&C) industry, Borealis and Borouge are pleased to attend the 2022 WIRE trade show taking place from 20 to 24 June in Düsseldorf, Germany. In addition to presenting a wide range of innovative and more sustainable technologies and material solutions for the industry, Borealis will cast a spotlight on its global investment projects. From the Americas to South Korea, Borealis is investing to ensure future availability of high-quality compounds for the W&C industry, among others.

XLPE and semicon excellence, made in Europe
Borealis is investing around EUR 200 million to upgrade and expand its XLPE and semicon assets at existing production locations in Europe. This ambitious initiative will serve the W&C market by safeguarding the reliable supply of high-quality insulation and semiconductive materials in the long term, and particularly those required to support global offshore wind and interconnector projects. Investment focus lies on production of XLPE compounds in Stenungsund, Sweden; and on semicon compounds in Antwerp, Belgium. The products and services originating at these new centres of manufacturing excellence are subject to stringent process and quality controls.

Baystar™ and Borealis Compounds Inc. extend footprint in the Americas
The Baystar™ joint venture with TotalEnergies is bringing the Borstar 3G technology to American PE markets. Construction commenced in 2020 on the 625,000 metric ton-per-year Borstar PE unit in Texas. Once the facility comes on stream in 2022, the increased production capacity will enable Borealis, as exclusive supplier of Baystar-produced PE to W&C customers, to better fulfil growing demand for fibre optic and power cable jacketing in North, Central, and South America.

An investment study to evaluate capacity expansion at the Borealis Compounds Inc. production facility in New Jersey is nearing completion. Once the project is deemed feasible, Borealis plans to invest a significant sum to expand the XLPE facility so as to serve the steadily growing demand for medium voltage power cables in the Americas. XLPE production capacity at this facility is set to increase by 10 kta to reach a total capacity of 42 kta by the year 2024.

DYM Solution enhances the Borealis and Borouge presence in Asia and beyond
DYM Solution, the South Korea-based manufacturer of compound materials for cables, became a member of the Borealis Group in 2020. Its acquisition allows Borealis and Borouge to better serve their local customers in the region. It also expands production capacity for the sophisticated cable compounds in the portfolio, including semiconductive and halogen-free flame retardant compounds as well as crosslinkable rubber and silane compounds.

“Taken together, the size and scope of investment in our production assets is remarkable. Our growth projects are expanding our global asset footprint, yet they actually bring us closer to our local and regional customers,” says Bart Verheule, Borealis Global Commercial Director Energy. “Through customer proximity and increased production capacity, we can provide even more support to our customers in the flawless execution of major infrastructure projects, particularly in the area of renewables. The increasingly wide range of more sustainable W&C material solutions we can provide will enable the energy transition.”

Award-winner: “Smart Bratwurst” trainee project

Now it is official: with its trainee project “Smart Bratwurst”, Arburg was one of the five winners of the “Industry 4.0 Talents” competition this year. The award was presented to the trainees Nico Schoch and Nils Frey by Dr Patrick Rapp, State Secretary in the Ministry of Economics, Labour and Tourism of the State of Baden-Württemberg, at a virtual awards ceremony. The two trainees travelled to Stuttgart on behalf of the Arburg team to receive the award and present the project in the Haus der Wirtschaft…..

Group Sells Mechanical Engineering Division To Matthews International Corporation

Borgers SE & Co. KGaA sells its mechanical engineering division with the companies OLBRICH GmbH and R+S Automotive GmbH to Matthews International Corporation, a global provider of industrial brand solutions and commemorative products based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (USA).

This strategically and economically reasonable step opens up new opportunities for the companies to implement their planned growth strategy: “With the sale of and R+S to Matthews International Corporation, we have achieved the desired viable solution for the further development of our mechanical engineering explains Jürgen Otto, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Board of SE & Co. KGaA. “Despite the difficult economic conditions, there was a great deal of interest in the Olbrich Group and we are confident that we have found
the ‘best-owner’ in Matthews International. Both companies already have extensive experience in electromobility projects in which the technological and cultural fit has
been proven. As a long-term investor, Matthews International has already successfully demonstrated in many other cases – for example with the SaueressigGroup, also based in Münsterland and an expert in the printing and finishing industry that it intends to sustainably develop an acquired company.”

Globally active – worldwide successful
Matthews International Corporation brings together a variety of different companies and brands under one roof and employs approximately 11,000 people in more than countries on six continents. Business activities are divided into three focuS The “Industrial Technologies” segment develops, manufactures, services and sells specific high-tech solutions in the fields of energy storage, industrial
automation and marking and coding systems.

In the “SGK Brand Solutions” segment, Matthews International is an important provider of packaging solutions and also a service provider for the development, strengthening and implementation of new brands and products. The third segment, “Memorialization,” offers leading products for mourning and memorial culture, such as mausoleums or memorial stones, as well as coffins and
funeral props.

Acquisitions are part of a long-term strategy Joseph C. Bartolacci, President and Chief Executive Officer of Matthews International, stated, “We are extremely excited to announce the acquisitions of
OLBRICH and R+S Automotive as part of our long-term strategy to provide turn-key processing equipment and services for the burgeoning electric vehicle industry. We see our combined capabilities as a unique offering that will have significant impact onthe electric vehicle market and benefit the entire energy solutions industry. Together, these acquisitions are an important investment and part of a buying strategy to solidify our place as a key player in the fast-growing energy sector.”

Gregory S. Babe, Chief Technology Officer of Matthews International, continued,“Our combined engineering capabilities provide an extension of our full portfolio,including battery and fuel cell component production, converting lines, coating,drying, web and roll handling and Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV) integration, and
strengthen global expansion. This strategic acquisition continues our investment in technologies and accelerates commercializing new innovations and combined capabilities across multiple automotive, surfaces and industrial automation applications.”

Common values and goals

“With Matthews International, we have not only gained a strategic investor, but at the same time a partner for the OLBRICH Group that has an excellent international reputation,” explains Bastian Kuhl, CEO of OLBRICH and R+S Automotive. “In addition, we share common values and goals. – These are the best prerequisites for effectively combining our competencies in the fields of converting and automation hence successfully addressing future markets such as new energies or “green packaging” together. We look forward to implementing our growth strategy in the future as part of the Matthews Group.” The agreement to acquire the Olbrich Group for a purchase price of USD 45 million (around EUR 43 million) was signed yesterday, Tuesday, June 21, 2022, after which the employees were informed by the contractual partners. The closing of thetransaction is subject to certain regulatory authority approvals, which is expected to be timely secured in July of 2022.

In parallel, the sale of the automotive division of Borgers is being driven forward. Notwithstanding the aggravating conditions due to the Ukraine conflict, this process remains on schedule. The management of Borgers SE & Co. KG is in talks with several interested parties and also intends to conclude this sale by the end of July as planned.

Drives Electrification With More Sustainable Material Solutions

From renewable energy to charging equipment and battery concepts

Energy supply from wind and solar power is an important pillar for achieving global climate targets and greenhouse gas neutrality and conserving fossil resources. The switch from fossil to renewable energy sources is also accompanied by electrification of the important sectors of transport and buildings: the mobile and stationary future is electric.

A major challenge here is decentralized electricity storage to compensate for fluctuations in the generation of wind and solar energy. Plastics will play a central role in all these issues in the future – from power generation and storage to use in vehicles and at home. Covestro will be showcasing a full range of innovative and more sustainable material solutions at the K 2022 trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 19 to 26.

Renewable energy on the rise
Take wind power, for example: an innovative polyurethane (PU) resin enables more efficient and cost-effective production of robust rotor blades. Covestro is working with key industrial partners to roll out this new resin technology for blade composites. The product portfolio also includes PU elastomers for offshore wind farms, which ensure kink-protected power cables and thus smooth transmission of electricity to the mainland.

Covestro is also gradually converting its global production to energy supply with green electricity. To this end, the company has signed supply agreements with European suppliers Ørsted to supply its German sites and with ENGIE for its production in Antwerp, Belgium; in both cases, the electricity comes from wind power. In Germany, Covestro has also contractually secured a long-term supply of solar power – 63 megawatts of capacity – from the country’s largest solar park operated by energy company EnBW in Brandenburg. In China, Covestro also purchases solar power from the local supplier Datang Wuzhong New Energy Co. Further supply contracts for electricity from renewable sources are planned.

Energy storage challenge
The switch to renewable energy will create a major need for additional energy storage worldwide in the long term. Various storage solutions are being developed for electricity from renewable sources front-of-the-meter – immediately after generation – and behind-the-meter – before use in vehicles, buildings and industry. They will become part of a new infrastructure that includes, in large part, batteries and controllers for electric vehicles, but also stationary solutions such as charging stations and wallboxes, as well as batteries for domestic power supply.

The design of the battery in particular – the heart of the electric car – places great demands on the properties of the plastics used, especially since many cell holders have to be very well fixed in a confined space to ensure maximum range and safety of the vehicle. Covestro has developed a concept for this based on lightweight and robust polycarbonates and their blends, which also includes the production of modules, housing parts and crash absorbers for the batteries, as well as control units in the electric powertrain of the vehicle. The plastics are dimensionally stable, electrically insulating and offer a great deal of design freedom, while complying with the required high safety standards demanded by the industry and environmental guidances.

These properties of polycarbonate plastics are also beneficial in their application in charging stations, wallboxes and battery home storage systems. Covestro supports customers from material selection to component design and CAE-based simulation calculations, as well as mold flow analysis and injection molding.

On the way to a circular economy
For the applications mentioned above, Covestro now also offers polycarbonates that are climate-neutral from cradle to factory gate1. They are produced using ISCC PLUS certified raw materials from mass-balanced biowaste and residual materials and using renewable energy. As a result, they have the potential to reduce the carbon footprint to zero.

Post-industrial waste from polycarbonates and their blends can be reused, reprocessed or recycled just like plastics after their useful life (post-consumer). To close the loop, systems for collecting, sorting and processing plastic waste, among other things, still need to be established.

Covestro has also created a much more sustainable basis for the production of two important polyurethane raw materials, the so-called isocyanates TDI and MDI, by using alternative raw materials. While the renewable TDI is based on mass-balanced and ISCC PLUS-certified precursors from biowaste and residual materials, MDI is also offered as a climate-neutral product from cradle to factory gate.