Technological watch

BIC has chosen to team up with Avient to reinforce its dedication to the circular economy. BIC engineers used Avient’s reSound™ R recycled content TPE to enhance the sustainability of a new women’s razor. This material has a soft, grippy feel and is highly colorable. Formulated to achieve 62 percent recycled content, this high-performance TPE enables BIC to create products that live up to its sustainability promises.
Putting Sustainability into Practice
The new BIC Soleil Click 5 handle is the most recent example of how BIC is putting sustainability into practice. By combining reSound™ R TPE with a transparent plastic that also has recycled content, the BIC Soleil Click 5 handle reaches over 40 percent recycled content in total, while maintaining the trusted and quality shave BIC’s consumers enjoy. In addition, the shaver is also refillable, allowing its reuse by simply changing the blade cartridge. A consumer launch is planned in spring 2022.
“The new razor handle we developed together with Avient is another exciting milestone on our sustainability journey to explore new or alternative options to transform our products, manufacturing processes and packaging,” said Thomas Brette, group insights and innovation officer at BIC. “Last year, we committed to using 50 percent of non-virgin petroleum plastic for our products by 2030, part of our long-term commitment to reduce our environmental impact. To achieve these goals, our R&D and procurement teams are constantly finding innovative solutions that limit our products’ impact on the planet, while creating responsible and affordable items for everyday use.”

Increased Percentage of Recycled Content
Utilizing its formulation expertise, Avient can increase the overall percentage of recycled content in additional reSound™ R grades to over 80 percent at performance comparable to prime grades. These grades can replace traditional TPEs in personal care, lawn and garden, outdoor high performance, footwear, office supplies, houseware durables, and automotive applications.
“Collaborating with BIC on this project aligns closely with our sustainability commitments as a specialty formulator, and our focus on helping customers meet their sustainability goals,” said Walter Ripple, vice president, sustainability, Avient Corporation. “And we’re also aligned in terms of our values. Similarly, to BIC, we have committed to our own 2030 Sustainability Goals.”
Holger Kronimus, vice president and general manager, engineered materials, Europe, added, “This project highlights our commitment to support customers in Europe - and around the globe - with sustainable material solutions that are aligned with a circular economy and meet consumer preference for eco-conscious products.”

Source: Avient