Chinese smartphone maker uses biobased polymer

0
443

In China, a biobased polycarbonate copolymer produced by Saudi Arabia’s SABIC is being used in smartphones sold by emerging consumer electronics maker realme. 

Dubbed Elcrin EXL 7414 PC, the material is over 50% biobased content from waste materials that do not compete with the food chain according to the mass balance approach. A preliminary SABIC internal assessment indicates that each kilogram of the biobased resin provides two kilograms of CO2 reduction compared to fossil-based PC. 

Realme is the first consumer electronics brand to adopt the material, which was used to mold the battery cover of its GT 2 Pro smartphone, launched last month in China. The PC copolymer is the first grade in an expanding portfolio to secure the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC+) designation, according to SABIC. 

“Our collaboration with SABIC to successfully incorporate this new biobased copolymer in our GT 2 series smartphone has helped us achieve competitive differentiation and a stronger sustainability posture,” Chase Xu, global v.p. and chief marketing officer at realme, says in a press statement.  “The use of biobased materials is an important selling point for consumers, who increasingly seek out sustainable products. Further, the adoption of LNP Elcrin EXL has enabled our company to advance its environmental goals without any compromise in product performance. This application is the latest result of our productive, ongoing relationship with SABIC.”