Circular economy

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E-LOOP is our brand name for circular innovations and more sustainable solutions

E-LOOP includes all of our circular economy initiatives in terms of products, design and services.

We want to be a catalyst for more efficient, locally-implemented short loops for ABS recovery.

Our aim is to be a global leader of reference in the market of highly specialised thermoplastics. With this mission, we've been contributing to the transition towards a circular plastics economy for years, as this is one of the pillars of our business strategy. We offer more sustainable solutions through strategies for the recovery of ABS or other by-products, increased recirculation and the establishment of partnerships throughout our value chain.

Circular plastics and responsible innovation are the strategic programmes of ELIX's sustainable solutions portfolio. Let's close the loop!

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MISSION

  • To offer top-of-the-line sustainable solutions in our markets, promoting the transformation of the value chain towards a circular economy model.
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VISION

  • To be a driving force of the new plastics economy, participating in the redefinition of plastic waste as raw material.
  • To support an ecosystem of collaboration with companies who have common goals.
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COMMITMENT

  • To establish collaborations for developing new business models, including opportunities stemming from our membership of Styrenics Circular Solutions
  • To offer innovative up-cycling solutions which preserve functionality in final customer applications in our ABS markets.
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CIRCULAR PLASTICS

ASPIRATIONAL OBJECTIVE:

  • Ensure that 25% of the products used in our solutions offer a sustainable advantage by 2025.

We understand sustainable advantage as the inclusion of greater recycled mechanical, chemical or renewable content in our products, or a reduction in the intensity of the material and therefore an improvement of our environmental footprint.

PRIORITY LINES OF ACTION:

  • Mechanically recycled ABS and ABS/PC blends with properties equivalent to raw material destination applications with high material requirements.
  • Certified raw materials.
  • Use of raw materials from biological, renewable or recycled sources.
  • Several approved suppliers for the main monomers (ACN and STY, with contracts in force) and other polymers (PC, SAN).
  • Creation of synergies with the Sinochem Group.
  • Validation of renewable sources and identification of new ones for the coming years.

Main actions completed in 2022:

  • Creation of 10 new materials: 7 by chemical recycling and 3 by mechanical recycling.
  • Validation/accreditation of 2 sustainable raw materials with ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) and 1 recycled mechanical raw material (black polycarbonate), and transparent polycarbonate is currently in the validation process.
  • Participation in the development of projects with customers and suppliers.
  • Renewal of ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) for a third year.

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RESPONSIBLE INNOVATION

ASPIRATIONAL OBJECTIVES:

  • Ensure that 100% of our products are recyclable and free of substances of high concern.
  • Invest in R&D and technology, by implementing projects that improve circularity and sustainable products.

ACTION PLANS:

  • Improve the sustainability of ELIX's ABS materials.
  • Promote the design of reusable and recyclable products.
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Our innovation strategy aims to develop a more sustainable product portfolio, increasing the amount of renewable and/or recycled raw materials for our products.

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT

ELIX carries out a life-cycle assessment of its most sustainable E-LOOP solutions

Life-cycle assessment (LCA) is an internationally standardized methodology to assess the environmental impact associated with all stages of a product’s cycle.

ELIX has carried out a full LCA of its production based on ISO 14040 and ISO 14044 standards (cradle-to-gate analysis) taking into account transport to customer sites and direct (scope 1) and indirect (scopes 2 and 3) emissions. The aim of this analysis, validated by the Anthesis group, is to investigate the environmental performance of the most sustainable E-LOOP products and compare it with polymers of fossil origin.

Our LCA shows that mechanically and chemically recycled products can significantly reduce the environmental impact of the final product.

100 %

Recyclable products free of substances of high concern

2,84 %

LCA and carbon footprint calculation*

Carried out for all grades: virgin origin, ISCC (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification) materials and other raw materials.

Sustainable solutions tailored to customers

  • At ELIX we jointly develop optimal solutions with our customers tailored to their specific needs.
  • We are the first manufacturer of ABS and ABS blends certified through the ISCC PLUS system, global certification system that covers all sustainable raw materials, including recycled and bio-based materials.
  • We have continued to support some customers during the Cradle to Cradle certification processes for their applications with regard to ABS.
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PROJECTS IN PROGRESS

We participate in international studies and projects that involve collaboration with other companies or organizations in our value chain.

Investment in R&D&i

Collaborative projects:

  • RETOS FUND 3D-CDTI Development of 3D printing materials for moulds and functional tools for industrial application.
  • HFFR ABS-RETOS-FLASHCTDI I+D Development of a flame-retardant bromine- free ABS.

Internal projects:

  • ABS for the appliance sector and with compliance with contact requirements with food.
  • PC/ABS formulations containing recycled material.

SOLIDARITY PROSTHESES WITH REVALUED ABS

In 2022 ELIX took part in a socio-technological project with Ayúdame3D, a Spanish socially responsible start-up that promotes the social value of technology through awareness programmes to help people with disabilities thanks to three-dimensional printing.

ELIX developed the recycled ABS raw material through 3D printing, a technology in which the company has extensive experience. The challenge was to offer a solution tailored to the project, incorporating the circular economy. In the manufacturing process, ELIX turned waste into a high value product (upcycling) thanks to the collaboration of the entire value chain and incorporating virtualization and new 3D technologies.

The project was possible thanks to the collaboration of Repsol, which donated 4,000 pieces of ABS plates to the association from computer equipment that would otherwise have been discarded, and of Leitat, a technology centre of excellence. Leitat manufactured coils from the raw material recovered by ELIX, for its subsequent printing using 3D technology and the manufacture of trésdesis, arms printed in three dimensions for the wrist, elbow or shoulder.

ELIX'S PORTFOLIO OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS CONTRIBUTES TO THE TRANSITION TOWARDS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY. HAVE A LOOK!

Close the loop

If you are interested in closing the loop, contact us

CLICK HERE

Compromise

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Certifications

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iso
ecovadis
iscc

Member of

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