​Arkema announces the launch of a new line of recycled high performance polyamides.

Arkema recently introduced a new range of recyclable high-performance polyamides. Partially or fully recycled Rilsan Polyamide 11, Rilsamid Polyamide 12 and Pebax polymers produced under Arkema's Virtucycle program at custom recycling centers in Italy are now being commercialized.

Arkema's Virtucycle program places advanced materials designers at the center of a virtuous cycle of sourcing, recycling and receiving advanced polymers. In addition to its role as a specialist recycler, Arkema acts as a matchmaker among its customers while playing an optional key role in eco-designing finished products made from recycled materials.

By the end of this year, Arkema aims to offer several SCS* certification grades that meet key performance criteria while providing a traceable supply chain. Detailed life cycle assessment data packages are available upon request. The grades are produced at Arkema's Advanced Polymer Custom Machine Recycling Center in Italy using only renewable energy. In 2021, Arkema acquired Agiplast, a specialist in recycling high-performance polymers.

"More and more customers are interested in innovative recycling options to improve the sustainability and circularity of the supply chain," said Erwoan Pezron, Senior Vice President, Arkema Performance Polymers.

"With the recent acquisition of Agiplast, we are taking a big step in the right direction by being able to combine our traditional polymer design expertise with Agiplast's advanced recycling capabilities and our extensive global customer network to deliver on an ambitious commitment to sustainability," added Pezron. "Being able to design certified recycling grades with high performance and a low carbon footprint is an exciting step in the sustainability journey for our customers and Arkema. Extending the lifetime of these polymers is sometimes desirable in applications completely unrelated to their original use. The growth potential is huge."