Borealis Bornewables™ help Uponor create the world’s first cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes based on renewable feedstock

• Drop-in solution reduces carbon footprint by up to 90% vs. comparable pipes made from fossil-based virgin
  PE-X
• Certified mass balance accounting 100% renewable material content gives PE-X pipe applications unprecedented sustainability
• Partnership is embodiment of the Borealis EverMinds™ spirit of taking action to accelerate the move towards plastics circularity

In line with its EverMinds™ initiatives to work with partners along the value chain and accelerate action on circularity, Borealis has been collaborating with pipe specialist Uponor to enhance the sustainability of cross-linked polyethylene (PE-X) pipes. The resulting PEX Pipe Blue is the world’s first pipe portfolio made from PEX with renewable feedstock accredited by mass balance accounting under the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC PLUS) scheme.

Based on Borealis’ Bornewables™ polyethylene (PE) derived from second-generation natural resources, such as waste from pulp production or residues from food processing oils, the new PEX Pipe Blue products boast an unprecedented carbon footprint reduction of up to 90% when compared to conventional fossil-based PE-X pipes. This also marks a major step forward to help customers in the building and construction industry achieve their sustainability targets in plumbing, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) installations. At the same time, it serves as an outstanding example of Borealis’ and Borouge’s commitment to pipe solutions ‘Enabling life’s essentials’.

Setting a new industry standard with Bornewables

Since introducing PE-X pipes to the world 50 years ago, Uponor has continuously improved their product offering and processes. “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”, explains Robert Molund, Managing Director, 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.”

The significantly lower carbon footprint of PEX Pipe Blue compared to traditional fossil-based PE-X pipes is 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 (LCA). All the data is verified by an independent third party.

Fully transparent mass balance accounting

Likewise, 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.

“We are delighted to be able to make such a significant contribution to the circular progress of the plastics infrastructure and pipe industries,” says John Webster, Global Commercial Director, Infrastructure for Borealis. “Real advances toward greater sustainability and carbon neutrality require dedicated collaboration with value chain partners that share common goals. PEX Pipe Blue with Bornewables is an impressive example of what can be achieved when market leaders join forces.”

K 2022 will take place from 19 to 26 October 2022 in Düsseldorf, Germany.

We invite you to “Innovate Collaborate Accelerate” together with us by visiting Borealis and Borouge in Hall 6 at Stand A43, where the new Bornewables™ pipe solution produced in collaboration with Uponor will be on display.

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