SABIC Innovative Plastics: Be the World Best Plastic Resin Manufacturer         

By Jenny Du  

"SABIC Innovative Plastics is a global supplier of plastic resins, manufacturing and compounding polycarbonate, ABS, SAN, ASA, PPE, PC/ABS, PBT and PEI resins, as well as the LNP* line of high performance specialty compounds," said Hiroshi Yoshida, the Global Market Director for Electronics of SABIC Innovative Plastics based in Tokyo at the press conference held by SABIC Innovative Plastics, November 8th 2007, Shanghai. SABIC Innovative Plastics, a business unit of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), was founded in September 2007 with the acquisition of GE Plastics. (CCR2007, No.26)
   Combined, SABIC and SABIC Innovative Plastics have nearly sixty locations and approximately 30 000 employees worldwide. In 2006, SABIC Innovative Plastics achieved a sales revenue of US$6.645 billion. The company located its headquarters of the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific region respectively in Pittsfield of the US, Bergen op Zoom of the Netherlands and Shanghai of China.

Continuous innovation

SABIC Innovative Plastics is expanding the LNP Faradex family of specialty compounds to help electronics manufacturers achieve lighter-weight, thinner-wall housings with enhanced shielding capability. "This new compounds can deliver better electromagnetic interference/radio frequency interference (EMI/RFI) shielding performance without increasing their loading of stainless steel fibers, keeping costs and part weight down," said Eric Jiang, LNP product manager of SABIC Innovative Plastics, confidently.
   The initial five new LNP Faradex compounds are alloys of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS). They include three grades featuring non-brominated, non-chlorinated flame retardants (FR) for compliance with environmental regulations such as the EU's WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronics Equipment), RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) directives, and other eco labels. The two non-FR grades offer higher impact resistance than previous Faradex compounds. Mr. Jiang also told CCR that a new LNP Faradex specialty compounds will be available in China's market in December 2007.

New LNP compounds

Another new product platform introduced by the company can help solve the drawbacks of dry-blending colorants, flame retardants, additives, and other effects in long-glass-fiber compounds. The company's LNP* Verton* Xtreme compound portfolio has broken new ground with one-pellet solutions for enhanced color, flame retardance, and weatherability.
   This new compound grades have three series - XC for extreme color, XFR for extreme flame retardance, and XW for extreme weatherability.

LNP* Starflam* X-Gen compounds

The third new portfolio of high-tech LNP* Starflam* compounds launched by the company can provide excellent flammability performance while meeting the requirements of halogen-free parts. The LNP Starflam X-Gen Z270 family of fiber-reinforced polyamides supports compliance with the WEEE directive, RoHS regulations, and other environmental requirements, offers high-end mechanical and electrical properties that exceed those of traditional materials that use brominated and red phosphorus additives, and provides easy processing, excellent surface appearance, and so on.
    "The new series of compounds not only combine non-halogenated flame retardance and low smoke performance, but also provide outstanding thermal performance and deliver excellent mechanical properties," Mr. Jiang added.

Technological advantages

To help address certain specific environmental, health, and safety requirements, SABIC Innovative Plastics has always been engaged in developing advanced technologies to meet the increasing customer demand. Four of the key technology platforms under development by the company today are: Stat-Kon compound TR positive temperature coefficient, transparent Verton compounds, thermoplastic alternatives to Lead, nano-enabled composites.
    "The company offers its LNP brand of specialty compounds around the world, ensuring product consistency and technology support through manufacturing facilities and technology centers across the Americas, Europe, and the Pacific, among which LNP specialty compound facilities in Asia are located at Seremban, Malaysia; Shanghai, China; Singapore; Moka, Japan; and Rayong, Thailand," said Mr. Akihisa Kikuchi, LNP Pacific Product Manager of SABIC Innovative Plastics.

Future development

As to the operation mode, Hiroshi Yoshida commented there is no great change in the operation mode after purchasing from GE. As GE is a diversified company while SABIC is a pure chemical company, SABIC Innovative Plastics will be a customer-centered company with combination of enhanced technology and sales experience from GE and SABIC. The company will adopt the same sales strategy in its new product portfolio as other products of the company. In addition, the company promises that the capacity of its products is enough for supporting its customers all around the world.