20 February 2020
Vynova has launched a range of bio-attributed PVC resins that will enable customers in all application sectors to innovate their PVC products and support their sustainability goals.
The new PVC portfolio is manufactured using renewable ethylene which is produced from certified second-generation biomass feedstock which does not compete with the food chain. This approach reduces the use of fossil feedstock conventionally used in the PVC production process, resulting in a CO2 emission reduction of more than 90%*. The renewable ethylene is supplied to Vynova by SABIC from the company’s production facilities in Geleen (the Netherlands).
No compromise on quality or performance
In terms of product quality and material specifications, the bio-attributed PVC resins meet the exact same stringent performance criteria as Vynova’s conventionally produced PVC grades. Customers will be able to process the new PVC resins with their existing equipment, under identical process conditions.
“With this new generation of PVC resins, we are responding to increasing customer demand to take another step towards a more circular PVC value chain. Working together with our customers, our bio-attributed vinyls range will enable customers to innovate and support their sustainability goals without any compromise on quality or performance”, explains Jonathan Stewart, Vynova Vice President PVC Business Management.
Vynova’s bio-attributed PVC portfolio is available for both rigid and flexible applications and includes a wide range of K-values. The new range of PVC resins will initially be manufactured at the Vynova sites in Beek (the Netherlands) and Mazingarbe (France) and may be used for applications in all market sectors.
Strong commitment to sustainability
“The development of our new bio-attributed PVC portfolio is another demonstration of our strong commitment to sustainability in the Vinyls value chain”, comments Vynova President Stefan Sommer. “As part of that commitment, we are also an active member of VinylPlus®, the European PVC industry’s voluntary sustainable development programme, and will continue to support the sector-wide push towards a more sustainable PVC industry.”
The renewable ethylene used to produce Vynova’s bio-attributed PVC is supplied by SABIC and forms part of TRUCIRCLE™, SABIC’s complete portfolio of solutions that include design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling of plastic waste streams as well as certified renewables products from bio-based feedstock.
Frederik Hoornaert, Director European Cracker Business for SABIC, highlights the importance of downstream collaborations such as this one with Vynova, as part of the company’s broader sustainability objectives to drive a transformation of the entire value chain: “We are excited to expand our cooperation with Vynova to our renewable materials, enabling the product offering to be passed down the value chain. SABIC continues to innovate and to create sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions to support the circular economy.”
Mass balance approach
Vynova partnered with sustainability consultancy group Meo Carbon Solutions and selected the ISCC PLUS framework to certify the bio-attributed PVC grades according to a mass balance approach. ISCC is a globally applicable sustainability certification system that covers all sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry biomass, circular materials and renewables. The ISCC PLUS certification scheme requires strict traceability and is verified by independent third-party auditors.
*Based on a recent peer-reviewed SABIC internal LCA study and the PlasticsEurope eco-profile study on VCM and PVC 2015.
About Vynova
Vynova is a leading European PVC and chlor-alkali company. Our products play a key role in manufacturing numerous industrial products and consumer goods that improve our quality of life. With production sites in five countries and 1,500 committed employees, we generate annual sales of more than 1 billion euros.
Established in 2015, Vynova is the chlor-vinyls platform of the International Chemical Investors Group (ICIG). Our product offering comprises multiple grades of suspension PVC (S-PVC), KOH and other potassium derivatives, caustic soda (NaOH) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl).
For more information, visit www.vynova-group.com.
About SABIC
SABIC is a global leader in diversified chemicals headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia that manufactures on a global scale in the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific, making distinctly different kinds of products: chemicals, commodity and high-performance plastics, agri-nutrients and metals.
SABIC supports its customers by identifying and developing opportunities in key end markets such as construction, medical devices, packaging, agri-nutrients, electrical and electronics, transportation and clean energy.
SABIC recorded a net profit of US$ 5.7 billion in 2018. Sales revenues for 2018 totaled US$ 45 billion while total assets stood at US$ 85 billion. Production in 2018 was 75.3 million metric tons.
SABIC has more than 33,000 employees worldwide and operates in around 50 countries. Fostering innovation and a spirit of ingenuity, we have 11,738 global patent filings, and have significant research resources with innovation hubs in five key geographies – USA, Europe, Middle East, South Asia and North Asia.
About ISCC
ISCC is a globally applicable sustainability certification system and covers all sustainable feedstocks, including agricultural and forestry biomass, circular materials and renewables. With currently over 4,000 valid certificates in more than 100 countries, ISCC is among the world’s largest certification systems. It has been developed through an open multi-stakeholder process and is governed by an association with more than 130 members, including research institutes and NGOs.
About Meo Carbon Solutions
Meo Carbon Solutions is an innovative solution provider supporting companies, ministries and institutions with customized approaches to increase sustainability. Internationally established, with a global network of collaborating partners and longstanding consulting experience, Meo Carbon Solutions strives for increasing sustainability throughout the supply chain.
Vynova Media Contact
Yannick Brusselmans
Group Communication Manager
Phone: +32 479 32 34 99
Email: yannick.brusselmans@vynova-group.com
SABIC Media Contact
Lindsay Clarkmead
Phone: +34 648 246 318
Email: lindsay.clarkmead@sabic.com
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