A collaboration between Borealis and pipe specialist Uponor has led to the creation of the world’s first pipe portfolio made from PEX with renewable feedstock accredited by mass balance accounting under the ISCC plus scheme.
Dubbed PEX Pipe Blue, the carbon footprint of the new cross-linked PE (PEX) pipes is up to 90% lower than comparable pipes made from fossil-based virgin PEX, based on Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) calculations according to EN15804+A1 and CML/ISO21930 standards. EPD evaluates the environmental impact of products by means of life cycle assessment. All the data is verified by an independent third party.
The products in the PEX Pipe Blue Portfolio are produced from Borealis’ Bornewables PE derived from feedstock derived from second-generation natural resources, such as waste from pulp production or residues from food processing oils.
Uponor introduced PE-X pipes to the world 50 years ago and has since continued to imporve its product offering and processes. The new carbon-reduced pipes will help customers in the building and construction industry achieve their sustainability targets in plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning installations, the company noted.
“The fact that we can now offer our customers 100% renewable based PEX Pipe Blue means that they can greatly reduce the climate footprint of their installations and meet tomorrow’s regulations for a more circular and renewable construction industry, today,” said Robert Molund, managing director at Uponor AB. “With the use of Bornewables feedstock and the huge CO2 reduction opportunity, we are convinced that PEX Pipe Blue will soon be the new reference standard in this important market.”
ISCC Plus accreditation is based on third-party mass balance, a chain of custody model that enables sustainable content to be tracked, traced, and verified through the entire value chain, offering sustainability-assured products from feedstock to end product. This means that for every tonne of certified Bornewables PE-X used in production, an equivalent amount of PEX Pipe Blue can be claimed as certified renewable, without compromising on quality or efficiency. To ensure that all requirements are met, Borealis and Uponor’s ISCC Plus certificates are audited annually.
The new Bornewables pipe solution produced in collaboration with Uponor will be on display at K 2022 at the stand of Borealis and Borouge in Hall 6 at Stand A43 from 19 to 26 October 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany.