PCR helps customers achieve sustainability goals

In addition, Innovative Plastics showcased two new Cycoloy polycarbonate / acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (PC/ABS) resins containing open-loop PCR PC from water bottles, CDs and other sources. Cycoloy RCM6134 resin contains 35 percent PCR and meets the UL94 V0 standard at 1.0 mm and has a high stiffness of 3.1 gigapascals (Gpa) for thin-wall enclosures. Cycoloy RCY6214 resin, also containing 35 percent PCR, meets UL94 V0 at 1.5 mm. They are suitable for laptop and consumer electronics housings. Up to four additional grades will soon be available, offering a variety of combinations of stiffness, flame rating and viscosity.

There are now four grades of non-flame resistant (FR) Lexan EXL PC resin with PCR content ranging from 25 to 80 percent. All are based on Innovative Plastics’ high-performance Lexan EXL resin technology, which offers superior impact, improved low temperature ductility, and enhanced processability compared to standard PC grades. The grades offer carbon footprint reductions, in terms of cradle-to-gate greenhouse gas emissions, ranging from 20 to 64 percent compared to traditional Lexan EXL 1414 resin and a lower carbon footprint than non-PCR containing products, traditional PC and PC/ABS. Additionally, there is one new grade of FR polycarbonate resin – Lexan R9453 resin – containing up to 30 percent PCR with a UL94 V0 rating at 1.1 mm. Lexan R9453 resin is flame retardant with non-brominated and non-chlorinated FR technology.

Innovative Plastics began its ongoing commitment to PCR products with Valox iQ and Xenoy iQ resins, which employ an advanced chemical process to up-cycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into engineering thermoplastics. The company continues to invest in these two families. Today, the Valox iQ family of nearly 15 polybutylene terephthalate (PBT)-based grades, together with Xenoy iQ PC/PBT resins, offer PCR content ranging from 12 to 60 percent by weight and a wide range of properties similar to materials currently used in connectors, computer cooling fans, food service utensils, power tool housings, consumer products and automotive exteriors.