RP series provide a new life to post-consumer waste
* Post-consumer chemically recycled attributed via mass balance.
Recycled raw materials on the rise
The demand for products using recycled raw materials is growing across industries. This trend is supported by expected measures such as the EU End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV) and voluntary industry initiatives.
The new RP series is our first product partially based on chemically recycled post-consumer waste. It meets growing demands for circular economy and recycling.
CQ for more intelligent circular solutions for chemically recycled products
Our RP series, related to chemically recycled post-consumer waste, is part of the Covestro CQ circular solutions. It advances our vision of industry-wide circularity.
The suffix RP stands for "recycled- attributed plastic". The RP series comprises engineering plastics attributed with raw materials produced through chemical recycling of PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) waste. A mass balance approach transparently verifies the recycled content. This innovative product line utilizes waste unsuitable for mechanical recycling while achieving the same quality and performance as primary fossil materials. The RP series are engineering plastics partially attributed with chemically recycled waste in primary fossil-grade quality.
Traceability of recycled plastic waste usage
Makrolon® RP, Bayblend® RP, Makroblend® RP and Apec® RP are products from us that address the industry’s requirements for solutions related to waste usage.
We use alternative raw materials that have been assigned chemically recycled raw materials through mass balancing as well as energy from renewable sources***in the production process. By doing so we aim to support our customers fulfilling the recycled quotas.
Our resins are drop-in solutions for brands seeking high performance and best-in-class environmental performance.
***at selected production sites
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"We are very excited to expand our portfolio with this new product range, which marks another milestone in building the circular economy. We can support better our customers in achieving their sustainability goals by providing materials that meet the highest purity standards."
Unveiling the power of polycarbonate RP portfolio for high purity applications
If you are looking for more sustainable material solutions with a high recycled attributed share, the RP series from Covestro is just what you need.
The RP series are recycled attributed products that offer the same performance and the same high quality as Covestro's fossil-based polycarbonates.
The RP series is available with a 25% certified recycled attributed material share or higher for customers who want to move step by step towards a fully circular economy.
Transforming Industries: RP’s Impact Today
With the RP series you are ready to fulfill expected upcoming industry-relevant requirements, such as the ELV regulation.
“Thanks to chemical recycling and mass balancing, the sourced raw materials are identical to the standard raw materials on a fossil basis; this allows us to provide drop-in solutions for an effortless implementation in the value chain.”
FAQ
What makes the RP product series special?
Covestro produces RP series polycarbonates through a mass balance approach, using recycled attributed feedstocks. While maintaining identical production processes and specifications as conventional fossil-based products, these materials are traced and mass-balanced to attributed post-consumer waste.
How can I identify RP products?
Mass-balanced polycarbonates from Covestro's RP series carry an "RP CQ" suffix in their product names (e.g., Makrolon® 1234 RP CQ, Bayblend® RP CQ). Other polycarbonate products are also available with this designation, such as Makroblend® RP CQ and APEC® RP CQ.
What RP grades are currently available?
You can find all available RP series products in our Solutions Center under the category "plastics" with the tag "CQ recycled attributed". For inquiries about RP series products not currently listed, please contact your Covestro sales representative. Visit: Product Finder | Covestro
Do recycled attributed polycarbonates perform the same as conventional products?
Yes, the RP series delivers identical performance to conventional fossil-based polycarbonates. Customers can expect the same physical, mechanical, chemical, thermal, optical, weathering, and processing properties, requiring no modifications to existing processes or workflows.
Are products from the RP series recyclable?
The RP series products offer the same recyclability as conventional fossil-based products. They can be recycled through identical processes and workflows as their counterparts made from primary fossil raw materials.
What is mass balance?
Mass balance is a chain of custody method that traces materials through value chains, allowing the attribution of recycled feedstock to selected end products. Covestro implements mass balance according to the ISCC PLUS standard.
How does Covestro calculate the product carbon footprint (PCF) of the RP series?
The PCF is calculated through a partial product life cycle assessment from resource extraction to the factory gate, following ISO 14040/14044 standard methodology. No offsetting measures have been applied.
What is the difference between circular and bio-circular feedstocks?
Circular feedstocks are derived from the mechanical and/or chemical processing of recyclable materials of non-biological origin. Bio-circular feedstocks come from waste and residues of biological origin. The RP series specifically uses chemically recycled post-consumer waste.
What is Covestro's production capacity for RP grades?
Covestro's mass balance approach utilizes existing infrastructure, making the capacity for RP grades essentially the same as for primary fossil-based materials. This enables Covestro to introduce renewable materials into large-scale industrial installations without major limitations today, while advancing the circular economy without creating infrastructure lock-ins.
What advantages does the RP series offer to customers?
High purity material enables the production of applications that have to meet high requirements.
As drop-in solutions, there is no implementation effort as they have the same properties as fossil-based resins.
The RP series makes large waste streams which are unsuitable for mechanical processes accessible for recycling.
Key benefits
- High purity material: Enables the production of applications that have to meet high purity requirements from diverse industries.
- Drop-in solutions: Meaning zero implementation effort by maintaining identical properties as fossil-based resins.
- Chemically recycled: Makes large waste streams which are unsuitable for mechanical processes accessible for recycling.
