#INDEX 20

2021-10-18

SABIC presents new SABIC PURECARES™ & TRUCIRCLE™ portfolios for nonwovens at INDEX™ Expo

In an innovative circular economy pilot project, Fraunhofer, SABIC and Procter & Gamble have demonstrated the feasibility of closing the loop on facemasks to help reduce plastic waste and mitigate fossil resources depletion. (© SABIC / Fraunhofer)

SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry, has announced that the newly formed Hygiene & Healthcare segment of its Petrochemicals business will showcase its extensive portfolio of SABIC PURECARES™polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) polymers for high-purity nonwovens and hygiene films at the upcoming INDEX™ Expo in Geneva, Switzerland, from October 19 through 22, 2021.

The company’s exhibit at Booth #2441 will also feature enabling solutions developed with partners to address the issue of plastic waste and support the transformation of the industry towards a circular economy with closed-loop initiatives and certified circular polymers under its TRUCIRCLE™portfolio and services.

“Our new Hygiene & Healthcare market solution organization will aligns our efforts to support our customers’ needs in this industry more effectively,” says Abdullah Al-Otaibi, General Manager ETP & Market Solutions, SABIC Petrochemicals. “The new setup will drive tailored technology platforms and advanced product developments for customers who require this advanced, differentiated performance. At the same time, it will help us maintain and strengthen our competitive lead by accelerating the pace of innovation to respond to market trends more quickly.”

The INDEX Expo is the world’s leading nonwoven event. More than 700 exhibitors from over 40 countries will be presenting their products, technologies and services on 50,000 m² of exhibition space. “Global megatrends are pushing the hygiene industry to focus on solutions that combine enhanced consumer convenience and functionality with greater sustainability, and cost efficiency,” states Hans Pierik, Global Business Manager, Hygiene & Healthcare Business. “We welcome the opportunity of this venue to showcase our new material technology and high-performance SABIC PURECARES portfolio, which is designed to meet current and future challenges, drive performance, enhance sustainability, and optimize consumer comfort in a dynamic business environment.”

During INDEX, SABIC will exhibit a wide range of PP polymers targeted at these needs. Highlights on display will include dedicated PP and PE grades for lightweight nonwoven fabrics using the latest spunbond and meltblown processes, and a new ultra-high melt flow PP product engineered for meltblown fibers in nonwoven fabrics. The nonwoven focus will be complemented by industry proven polyolefins for cast and blown film applications in hygiene webs and laminates, providing desirable back and top sheet properties such as water tightness, breathability and elasticity.

In addition, SABIC will also present ISCC Plus certified fiber and film polymers based on circular and renewable PP and PE polymer technology as part of the company’s TRUCIRCLE portfolio for advancing the transformation of the plastics industry from a linear to a truly circular economy. Examples of this comprehensive initiative include collaborations with various market leaders in the field. Together with Fibertex Personal Care, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of spunbond nonwovens for the hygiene industry, SABIC is creating a range of high-purity nonwovens for the hygiene market using ISCC PLUS certified circular PP polymer derived from post-consumer plastic waste. In another project, Fraunhofer Institute, SABIC and Procter & Gamble (P&G) joined forces to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of an advanced close-loop recycling process for used nonwoven facemasks.

“The nonwovens industry needs innovative solutions to push the limits of quality, efficiency and performance while meeting demands for greater sustainability. Significant progress is being achieved through collaboration with value chain partners to enable the efficient recyclability of complicated plastic waste, including nonwoven hygiene materials,” adds Hans Pierik. “Our SABIC PURECARES portfolio and TRUCIRCLE products are firmly committed to these ends, combining technology, nonwoven industry with our Chemistry that Matters™.”

SABIC’s industry and product experts will be available during the INDEX Expo at Booth #2441 for further information about SABIC’s solutions. As part of the show’s workshops, seminars, tutorials and presentations, the company’s Lead Engineer François Courtecuisse will speak about ‘Creating Safety & Comfort with SABIC PURECARES Portfolio’ on Thursday, October 21, at 10.30am in Room R of the INDEX Lab in Hall 3.

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