SABIC Launches First Recycled Ocean‑Bound Plastic Portfolio

SABIC, a global leader in advanced materials, has launched the industry’s first recycled plastic portfolio derived from ocean‑bound PET collected within a 50‑km radius of coastal waterways. The new material, a Xenoy PC/PET compound, incorporates a minimum of 10 % recycled ocean‑bound PET blended with polycarbonate.

As part of SABIC’s Trucircle sustainability suite, the compound delivers measurable environmental benefits: a potential carbon‑footprint reduction of up to 7 % and an energy‑use cut of up to 11 % compared with virgin-grade material. It also retains high impact strength, excellent processability, and robust chemical resistance, making it suitable for consumer electronics—such as TV remote controls and electric razors—and for future automotive applications.

An internal life‑cycle assessment (LCA) of a resin grade containing 20 % recycled content demonstrates that 1 kT of product made with the ocean‑bound Xenoy PC/PET could prevent the discharge of 24 million single‑use 0.5‑liter PET water bottles into the sea.

“Our new recycled ocean‑bound material directly addresses plastic waste in marine environments,” says Sergi Monros, Vice‑President of SABIC’s Performance Polymers & Industry Solutions. “By developing sustainable materials and partnering across the value chain, we aim to reshape the industry and provide clear guidance for regulation and governance.”

SABIC’s Trucircle portfolio spans design for recyclability, mechanically recycled products, certified circular products from feedstock recycling, certified renewable products from bio‑based feedstock, and closed‑loop initiatives that convert used plastic back into high‑quality applications, preventing valuable materials from becoming waste.