SABIC collaborates with NUDEC to introduce its certified renewable polycarbonate into building and construction applications

SITTARD, THE NETHERLANDS - SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, today announced its collaboration with NUDEC, S. A., an industry leader in the manufacture of clear plastic sheets for numerous industries such as construction, personal and machinery protection. NUDEC, based in Barcelona, Spain, will be using SABIC’s LEXAN^™ polycarbonate (PC) resin based on certified renewable feedstock in several end applications for these industries.

SABIC’s certified renewable polycarbonate is an engineering thermoplastic resin and is part of the company’s TRUCIRCLE^™ portfolio and services. Based on our cradle-to-gate peer-reviewed LCA study, use of SABIC’s LEXAN polycarbonate resin can potentially result in reductions in carbon footprint of up to 61% and fossil depletion reduction of up to 35%.

“We are delighted to collaborate with NUDEC to introduce our certified renewable polycarbonate into the building and construction sector, helping to create applications that are made to last, and are produced in a more sustainable way,” said Abdullah S. Al-Otaibi, ETP & Market Solution General Manager at SABIC. “Our certified renewable materials have a lower carbon footprint and are made to the same high specifications and properties as virgin products, whilst still acting as a drop-in solution. This is a great example of how we are committed to innovating and working with partners to change how plastic is made and used, by collaborating across the value chain to create a circular economy where we use our natural resources wisely and responsibly.”

“NUDEC is the first in the plastic sheet industry to offer an alternative for our customers in order to keep up with the trend towards more sustainability in the development of polycarbonate sheets," said Joan Antoni Enrich, CEO at NUDEC. “Our vision focuses on sustainable development with great respect for the environment. To achieve this, our challenge is to increase our product range with solutions containing a certain percentage of raw materials coming from a renewable source, as well as the implementation of new norms and actions to help improve our environmental footprint.”

“By using SABIC’s LEXAN polycarbonate (PC) resin based on certified renewable feedstock in our polycarbonate sheet, our partnership with SABIC enables us to take firm steps towards more sustainable production, in line with our sustainability strategy and ambition,” concluded Enrich.

SABIC produces polycarbonate and blends based on renewable feedstock at its site in Cartagena, Spain. Last year, the site became accredited under the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC PLUS) scheme, enabling our products to be defined as certified renewable. The production process follows the mass balance approach, which helps to trace the flow of materials along the supply chain, from the feedstock to the final product, following predefined and transparent rules. NUDEC has also been ISCC certified, in order to give SABIC and NUDEC’s common customers a consistent proof of a sustainable supply chain.

SABIC’s Cartagena site is also set to become the world’s first of its kind to operate on 100% renewable power [by 2024] following a major project announced last year, further responding to customer and consumer demands for more sustainable solutions in an increasingly carbon-neutral world.

SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio and services for circular solutions span design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of used plastics and certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock.

© Press Release 2021