SABIC launches a new sustainable LNP ™ Modified materials

Saudi Arabian Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), a globally diversified chemical enterprise, today launched a thin-walled, bromine/chlorine free flame retardant grade modified material LNP ™  ELCRIN ™  WF0051iQ. As the latest member of the growing sustainable iQ resin family, this product is an excellent choice material for electrical applications. This new grade material can assist SABIC in further converting post consumer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles, upgrading and recycling them to polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) resin through chemical methods. As of the end of 2022, SABIC has converted 400 million 0.5 liter PET bottles through its iQ upgrade recycling technology.
Zhao Fanli, Business Management Director of LNP and NORYL in SABIC Special Materials Department, stated: The LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified material can provide a brand new solution for the electrical industry, achieving customized performance characteristics while significantly improving product sustainability. This will become an essential advantage for electronic components that are becoming smaller and stronger in size. The launch of the LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ product line is expected to accelerate the conversion of discarded disposable plastic bottles, thereby avoiding landfilling and the sea Ocean pollution. Chemical upgrading and recycling are an important part of our 'net zero emissions' strategy
Reduce carbon footprint
Compared with standard fossil based native PBT resin, the carbon footprint of LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified material decreased by 11%. This is mainly attributed to the addition of at least 27% recycled material content per kilogram of LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified material, equivalent to approximately 39 0.5 liter PET bottles. SCS Global Services (SCS) has reviewed and provided independent validation to demonstrate that the production process of LNP ELCRIN iQ composite resin complies with SCS recycled ingredient standards, and its supply chain complies with responsible procurement standards including social, environmental, health, and safety requirements (Green Product Certification Guidelines | SCS Global Services). Its production process saves natural resources.
In addition to the reuse of plastic waste, LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified material also has a series of sustainable advantages. For example, using this modified material can achieve thin-walled design of components, thereby reducing the consumption of fossil based raw materials, and its flame retardant formula avoids the use of bromine and chlorine, two semi volatile organic modified materials related to health and environmental risks.
This material has characteristics such as thin-walled flame retardancy, long-term stability, and glass fiber reinforcement, outstanding combination of stiffness and flowability, making complex geometric design possible. LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified material is an excellent choice for miniaturized electrical components such as connectors, switches, and sockets, and can provide customized color matching.
High performance materials for electrical applications
This brand new resin is the first modified material in the LNP ELCRIN iQ series to meet the UL94 V0 0.4mm flame retardant standard, and has received yellow card certification from the UL plastic certification program due to its iconic sustainability. The relative temperature index (RTI) of the material at the thickness of 0.4mm is 130 ° C, and the Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) is 2, which helps to improve safety, reduce material consumption, thus reducing mold cost and accelerating the time to market. In addition to excellent performance, this material also has many processing advantages, including high flowability that facilitates rapid production and lower wear characteristics than alternative materials.
Luc Govaerts, Technical Director of SABIC Special Materials Department, said, "With our interdisciplinary professional advantages, we have quickly developed this new thin-walled, bromine/chlorine free flame retardant modified material, in order to quickly promote its unique and sustainable advantages to more customers. This once again proves SABIC's firm commitment to meeting the special material needs of the electrical industry, helping the industry achieve new designs and develop advanced technologies
In addition to electrical components, LNP ELCRIN WF0051iQ modified materials are also important optional materials for medical devices and electrical applications. This material has been launched globally.