LyondellBasell Comes Up with a New Range of Circular Polymers Under “Circulen” Brand Name

LyondellBasell today has announced the launch of a new class of polymer products under its brand name Circulen. This announcement is an additional step in LyondellBasell’s growing portfolio of sustainable consumer durables and achieving its goal of producing and marketing two million metric tons of recycled and renewable-based polymers yearly by 2030.

The move is complementing company’s ambitious targets of incorporating sustainable solutions to their consumer products and enhance circularity in their plastic packaging portfolio. 

The company’s Circulen product family is dedicated towards cu-tting the plastic waste generation by using recycled content, and thereby lowering its carbon footprints by using renewable raw materials over the traditional feedstocks derived from fossil-fuels.

LyondellBasell’s global Circulen product portfolio encompasses three main categories: CirculenRecover Polymers- derived from the plastic waste through a mechanical recycling technique; CirculenRevive Polymers-manufactured by an advanced (molecular) recycling process which involves plastic waste conversion into feedstock to generate new polymers serving variety of end-uses; and CirculenRenew Polymers- produced from renewable feedstocks such as used cooking oil (UCO).

This category offers a variety of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (HDPE and LDPE) grades that match the virgin resin quality hence holding potential to replace fossil feedstock-based polymers.

Circulen products are currently available in Europe and will soon be launched in North America and China. As revealed by the company, Circulen products have gained popularity in the new Samsonite Magnum Eco suitcase line, and garden equipment (such as watering cans).  

"With the new Circulen product portfolio, we are taking concrete action to advance the circular economy today, innovate for the future and partner across the value chain. Our ambition is bold, yet necessary, and we are committed to doing our part to help address the global challenges of plastic waste in the environment and climate change while meeting customer and brand owner needs," said Ken Lane, LyondellBasell’s Executive Vice President Global Olefins and Polyolefins in the company’s latest press release.

As per ChemAnalyst,” With global polymer manufacturers strongly shifting gears towards accommodating greener innovations, this new addition will open a new wave of opportunities for LyondellBasell as polymers touch countless industries starting from healthcare and personal care to clothing. As there is rising pressure over brands to accelerate their shift to circularity, the company is likely to lead in the race.”