SABIC develops recycled PP flexible packaging

Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) announced that it would cooperate with the packaging manufacturer Scientex in the packaging value chain to develop polypropylene (PP) flexible packaging materials containing recycled seaworthy plastics.

SABIC said that the content of seaworthy plastic in this recyclable polypropylene is 30%, and its performance is the same as that of existing fossil-based original polypropylene, which can be used as a direct substitute in food flexible packaging applications without changing existing equipment and processes. At present, this material has been used in the packaging of a high-end noodle brand sold in the Malaysian market.

Abdullah Al Otaibi, General Manager of Thermoplastic Engineering Plastics and Market Solutions Business of SABIC Petrochemical Strategic Business Unit, said: "We are proud to provide customers with recycling solutions to reduce the plastic waste that eventually flows into rivers and oceans. This food flexible packaging product containing seaworthy plastics adopts the results of SABIC TRUCIRCLE sustainable solutions project, aiming to contribute to the protection of the earth."

It is reported that the Haiji plastic used in the project is recycled and converted into thermal cracking oil through regeneration process to produce certified recyclable polypropylene polymer and further processed into relevant materials. Marine plastic refers to plastic garbage found within 50 kilometers from the waterway, which may be washed into the sea by rain, river or tide.