20. Feb 2020
Bio-attributed PVC resins now available from Vynova
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%, according to a recent peer-reviewed SABIC internal LCA study and the PlasticsEurope eco-profile study on VCM and PVC 2015.
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.