Solvay and Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials (MCAM) are expanding their collaboration on the recycling of high-performance thermoplastics. MCAM, one of the world‘s most experienced processors for PEEK, fluoroplastics and polyamides is now looking at the recycling of end-of-life medical equipment made from Solvay’s Udel high-performance polysulfone thermoplastic under the terms of a new agreement signed between the companies.
Together, the companies are investigating the implementation of logistics for recovery, recycling, and reprocessing of PSU medical components into a recycled material being suitable for reuse in the original applications.
The agreement with MCAM, said Antonella Di Meo, Product Sustainability Manager at Solvay, is part of our long-term commitment to developing sustainable solutions from bio-based or recycled resources. It is aligned with both Solvay’s One Planet sustainability roadmap and Mitsubishi’s KAITEKI vision on the sustainable wellbeing of ‘people, society and our planet Earth’.
“Giving back more than we take is at the heart of MCAM’s strategy and sustainability approach. We have adopted the concept of KAITEKI to help us achieve our sustainability objectives based on our core values of environmental, social and human well-being,” said Henning Bloech, Global Director Sustainable Solutions for Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials.
MCAM will wash and mechanically recycle the PSU components, while Solvay’s polymer chemistry expertise will ensure the resultant materials fully meet all customer specifications in order for these to be able to be used in demanding medical applications.
“We look forward to maximising the potential of our synergies to help customers tackle the global challenge of plastic waste,” said Bloech.