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A set of recently released data shows that only 10% of the world’s disposable waste plastic products are recycled each year, about 12% are incinerated, and more than 70% are discarded into the soil and the ocean. However, these discarded plastic products have great resource potential and development space. KraussMaffei, Pirelli, ELIX Polymers and other overseas companies under Sinochem are committed to achieving resource recycling and sustainable development through technological innovation, and have developed a series of environmentally friendly new technologies to give waste plastics and recyclable materials a new lease of life.

KraussMaffei

Turning marine garbage into building materials

KraussMaffei, a subsidiary of Sinochem, works closely with Oldroyd, a leading Nordic waterproofing material and solution supplier, to develop and produce waterproof membrane support structure fixings for tunnel construction with KraussMaffei’s CX series injection molding equipment and technical processes, and the raw materials come from the recycling of marine plastic garbage such as damaged fishing nets and plastic ropes.

Waterproof membrane is an indispensable structural layer in tunnel construction. During the construction process, a grid-shaped, bendable, and elastic structural fixing cushion needs to be laid between the tunnel rock layer and the waterproof membrane. Its traditional raw material is metal, and its longest life is only about 50 years. Using KraussMaffei injection molding technology and CX 160-750 hydraulic injection molding machine equipment, Oldroyd successfully developed a new structural component product RoadStar made of thermoplastic elastic plastic and polyethylene, which not only has high sealing and strong impact resistance, but also has a life of up to 120 years.

It is worth mentioning that the plastic raw materials of this new structural component come from marine plastic waste such as broken fishing nets and plastic ropes collected from the Norwegian coast. After crushing, cleaning and re-granulation, it has good economic and social benefits.

Pirelli

Using rice husk extract to create a prototype tire

The Pirelli prototype tire made of renewable and recyclable materials was recently unveiled at the 2023CES Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

In order to reduce environmental impact and reduce the use of fossil-derived materials, Pirelli R&D personnel continue to conduct in-depth research. The prototype tire on display shows the latest developments of Pirelli, which makes extensive use of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified natural rubber and rayon, silica extracted from rice husks, biopolymers and recycled carbon black in the manufacturing process.

The world’s first FSC-certified tire is made by Pirelli. The full process certification of the FSC chain of custody distinguishes forest-certified materials from other materials, covering the entire supply chain from plantations to tire manufacturers.

ELIX Polymers

Developing raw materials for 3D printed prosthetics

At the end of 2022, ELIX Polymers, a subsidiary of China National Chemical Corporation, and the Spanish non-profit organization Ayúdame3D jointly launched a social care technology project, using recycled acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer (ABS) resin as a raw material for 3D printed prosthetics, designing and manufacturing a 3D printed arm called Trésdesis for people with disabilities.

ELIX Polymers has long been committed to using advanced environmental protection technologies in the manufacturing process, launching the green and environmentally friendly brand E-LOOP, creating products made from recycled waste plastics and renewable resources, providing sustainable solutions for high-end application scenarios, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water intensity. At present, the two recycled ABS resin products E-LOOP H801 and E-LOOP M220 launched by the E-LOOP environmentally friendly brand have been verified by customers in the automotive and toy industries.

E-LOOP H801 is an ABS and polycarbonate composite resin used in the automotive market. It has high heat resistance and is suitable for making various large automotive interior and exterior trims. It is made of mechanically recycled materials while retaining the same product performance as standard products. At present, the product has obtained certification from many OEMs in the automotive application market and will be used for automotive exterior painted parts and pre-colored interior applications, such as door panel trims, automotive center armrests, glove boxes and other products.

E-LOOP M220 is an ABS resin product that can be used in daily necessities, cosmetics, children’s building blocks and other fields. It is produced with chemical recycled materials that have passed the International Sustainable Development and Carbon Certification (ISCC Plus). It has high flow performance, and the products made have high gloss, inheriting the excellent performance of the original products.

It has always been Sinochem’s vision to turn waste plastics and recyclable materials into “treasures”, and it has also enabled Sinochem to achieve a win-win situation of social responsibility and economic benefits. In the future, Sinochem will continue to lead high-quality development with green and low-carbon, make full use of advanced science and technology and innovative solutions, and continue to promote green, low-carbon and sustainable development.