Sabic, a global leader in the chemical industry, recently showcased its portfolio of Purecares polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) polymers for high-purity nonwovens and hygiene films at the Index Expo in Geneva, Switzerland.

The company’s exhibit at the event also featured enabling solutions developed with partners to address the issue of plastic waste and support the transformation of the industry towards a circular economy with closed-loop initiatives and certified circular polymers under its Trucircle portfolio and services.

“Our new Hygiene & Healthcare market solution organization aligns our efforts to support our customers’ needs in this industry more effectively,” said Abdullah Al-Otaibi, General Manager ETP & Market Solutions, Sabic Petrochemicals.

“The new setup will drive tailored technology platforms and advanced product developments for customers who require this advanced, differentiated performance. At the same time, it will help us maintain and strengthen our competitive lead by accelerating the pace of innovation to respond to market trends more quickly.”

The Index Expo is the world’s leading nonwoven event. More than 700 exhibitors from over 40 countries presented their products, technologies and services on 50,000 sq m of exhibition space.

“Global megatrends are pushing the hygiene industry to focus on solutions that combine enhanced consumer convenience and functionality with greater sustainability, and cost efficiency,” stated Hans Pierik, Global Business Manager, Hygiene & Healthcare Business.

The nonwoven focus was complemented by industry proven polyolefins for cast and blown film applications in hygiene webs and laminates, providing desirable back and top sheet properties such as water tightness, breathability and elasticity.

Together with Fibertex Personal Care, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of spun bond nonwovens for the hygiene industry, Sabic is creating a range of high-purity nonwovens for the hygiene market using ISCC Plus certified circular PP polymer derived from post-consumer plastic waste. In another project, Fraunhofer Institute, Sabic and Procter & Gamble (P&G) joined forces to develop and demonstrate the feasibility of an advanced close-loop recycling process for used nonwoven facemasks.

“The nonwovens industry needs innovative solutions to push the limits of quality, efficiency and performance while meeting demands for greater sustainability. Significant progress is being achieved through collaboration with value chain partners to enable the efficient recyclability of complicated plastic waste, including nonwoven hygiene materials,” added Pierik.