SABIC Innovative Plastics' environmentally progressive iQ* resin platform was recognized on Oct. 2 with a 2009 Responsible Care Award at the Conseil Europeen des Federations de l'Industrie Chimique1 (Cefic) Annual General Assembly ceremony in Lisbon, Portugal. The company received the highly coveted award in the general category for its eco-responsible iQ resin, which uses a proprietary process to convert used polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles into high-performance resin for a broad range of high-end applications. Responsible Care is the chemical industry's global voluntary initiative under which companies work together to continuously improve their health, safety and environmental performance.
"To be recognized for excellence in product stewardship by Cefic is a major honor for SABIC Innovative Plastics," said Tim O'Brien, vice president SABIC Innovative Plastics Americas, Europe, Middle East, Africa. "Valox iQ* and Xenoy iQ* resins immediately captured world-wide industry attention when first launched and have since come to epitomize our sustainability programs aimed at preserving and improving the environment. Valox iQ and Xenoy iQ resins are ideal for customers seeking environmentally responsible solutions that don't compromise on performance or quality."
Cefic President Christian Jourquin, who presented the awards at the Cefic Annual General Assembly, said, "Responsible Care is our industry's unique approach to enhance sustainable development through corporate responsibility. The quantity and quality of 2009 entries demonstrate the added value of Responsible Care to chemical businesses and to society and the environment especially in these difficult economic times."
Reducing Carbon Footprint and Energy
SABIC Innovative Plastics' polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) iQ resins are engineered using up to 65 percent post-consumer plastic waste, extending the useful life of a PET bottle to 20 years. Other environmental benefits of iQ resins include a 55 to 57 percent reduction in both carbon dioxide emissions and process energy utilization per kilogram of PBT. The 2009 Responsible Care Awards judging panel concurred that the iQ resin platform is "an excellent demonstration on how to effectively engage in Product Stewardship."
The iQ resin portfolio provides excellent stiffness, impact strength, chemical resistance and processability, as well as superior aesthetics through custom color matching vs. competitive products. The SABIC Innovative Plastics materials have been successfully used in more than 20 applications in the first full year of commercialization. Potential application areas include furniture; computers and consumer electronics; and transportation and automotive components, such as connectors, fans, mud guards, door handles and lighting bezels.
Responsible Care was first launched in 1985 in Canada and is now run by the national/regional chemical associations in 53 countries around the world.