The document discusses the sustainable recycling of engineering plastics by Radici Group, focusing on the use of recycled polyamides sourced from waste materials. It highlights the company's commitment to sustainability through compliance with environmental impact assessment standards and the development of eco-friendly products, particularly for the automotive and wire industries. Various life cycle assessments (LCA) are presented, comparing the environmental impacts of different formulations of their polyamide engineering plastics.

1. “Engineering Plastics : Sustainable Recycling”“Engineering Plastics : Sustainable Recycling”
by E. Spini (MKT & Appl. Development Director - RadiciGroup/Plastics)

2. Radici Plastics Source of Recycled Polyamides
Waste from Radici Chimica polymerization plants and
Radici Yarn spinning plants are used as raw material for
post industrial compounds

3. Radici Plastics Source of Recycled Polyamides
Main Sources of Radici waste :
• Off-spec polymers
• Fibers scraps
• Polymerization scraps
Radici Post Industrial compounds sold
with Heramid® brand in all industry
sectors
Specific grades developed and sold
for the automotive industry. Some of
these grades sold with Radilon®
brand (the trade name of Radici’s
prime grades)

4. RadiciGroup : a Model of Sustainable Chemistry
Sustainability
LCA studies
R&D for
sustainable
products
PEF
Use of recognized and certified methods for the
'analysis of the environmental impact of its materials
from "cradle" to “gate”. This approach is an integral
part of the Radici Group's policy aimed at improving
the "environmental performance" of its products and
processes
Adhesion to the GRI (Global Reporting Initiative)
international standard. Sustainability
PCR-EPD
approach
GRI Certified
Sustainability
Report
international standard.
The function provided by the products to compare,
the data and metrics, are governed by the Product
Category Rules (PCR) and reported in Environmental
Product Declaration (EPD) implementing the
methodology and performing measures in accordance
with LCA.

5. RadiciGroup : a Model of Sustainable Chemistry
Sustainability
LCA studies
R&D for
sustainable
products
PEF
Radici Novacips SpA, has become the first company
in Europe to obtain “certificate of conformity” for
its Product Environmental Footprint (PEF).
This achievement represent not only a trial test of
a new methodology for calculating the Product
Environmental Footprint recently introduced by the
European Commission, but also a test of the Sustainability
PCR-EPD
approach
GRI Certified
Sustainability
Report
European Commission, but also a test of the
possibility to draw together defined, well-known
rules with experimental approach.

6. Radici Plastics has obtained Environmental Statements for the
Radilon® and Heramid® compound certified by an
independent body
(EPD, Environmental Product Declaration + Process
Certification)
RadiciGroup : a Model of Sustainable Chemistry
Objective :
Connect the technical performance to the environmental
impact, choosing between different alternative formulation
and / or process that can lower environmental impact

7. Radici’s Eco-Design Approach
- Next to the technical performance, the environmental
performance of polyamide engineering plastics are
considered at the initial stage of product development
- Among feasible alternatives, the formulation with lower
environmental impact may be chosen. EPD certificate canenvironmental impact may be chosen. EPD certificate can
be released on request.
- Selection of the best solution with respect to:
- Environmental impact;
- Recyclability
- Required Technical Performance

8. Example of eco-design approachExample of eco-design approach

9. RadiciGroup, Officine Maccaferri and
SAMP team up on LIFE-Inno.Pro.Wire
Objective of LIFE-Inno.Pro.Wire: to design an innovative
process and products with a lower environmental impact for
producing extruded steel wire to be used in metal net protection
and containment structures
9
The sustainability aspect of the project is the use of polyamide 6
(PA6 engineering plastics from the Radilon® range) for coating
the steel wire
European Commission's LIFE+
programme, the European Union
financial Instrument for the environment

10. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
All data used for LCA refer to RadiciGroup processes of
italians polymerization and compounding plants
Method : EPD (2013) V1.01
10
Impact Categories : Acidification ,Eutrophication,
Photochemical oxidation, Ozone layer depletion ,
Abiotic depletion, Global warming

11. LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
3,06E-02
2,29E-02
1,00E-02
1,50E-02
2,00E-02
2,50E-02
3,00E-02
3,50E-02
KgSO2eqv Acidification
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
11
3,72E-03 4,24E-03
0,00E+00
5,00E-03
1,00E-02
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
Emissions are taken up by atmospheric precipitation called “acid
rain”. This may lead to an increased take up of heavy metals or
reduced take up of some plant nutrients and hence negatively affect
the growth of plants.
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

12. 6,90E-03
5,13E-03
2,00E-03
3,00E-03
4,00E-03
5,00E-03
6,00E-03
7,00E-03
8,00E-03
KgPO4
3-eqv Eutrophication
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
7,97E-04 8,23E-04
0,00E+00
1,00E-03
2,00E-03
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
12
The enrichment of bodies of fresh water by inorganic plant nutrients
(e.g. nitrate, phosphate). These typically promote excessive growth
of algae. As the algae die and decompose, high levels of organic
matter and the decomposing organisms deplete the water of
available oxygen, causing the death of other organisms, such as fish.
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

13. 1,41E-03
1,05E-03
4,00E-04
6,00E-04
8,00E-04
1,00E-03
1,20E-03
1,40E-03
1,60E-03
KgC2H4eqv Photochemical Oxidation
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
2,17E-04 2,52E-04
0,00E+00
2,00E-04
4,00E-04
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
13
In the smoke generated from the combustion of oil and its derivatives
are present both unburned hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides. In the
presence of solar radiation these substances react with one another
to form ozone, considered dangerous for health when in the
troposphere
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

14. 1,14E-07
1,04E-07
4,00E-08
6,00E-08
8,00E-08
1,00E-07
1,20E-07
1,40E-07
KgCFC-11eqv Ozone Layer Depletion
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
1,18E-08
2,44E-08
0,00E+00
2,00E-08
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
14
Destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer which shields the earth from
ultraviolet radiation harmful to life. This destruction of ozone is caused by
the breakdown of certain chlorine and/or bromine containing compounds
(chlorofluorocarbons or halons), which break down when they reach the
stratosphere and then catalytically destroy ozone molecules.
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

15. 6,59E-05
4,84E-05
2,00E-05
3,00E-05
4,00E-05
5,00E-05
6,00E-05
7,00E-05
KgSbeqv Abiotic Depletion
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
8,05E-07 8,85E-07
0,00E+00
1,00E-05
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
15
Abiotic resource depletion includes depletion of nonrenewable
resources, i.e. fossil fuels, metals and minerals
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

16. 9,32E+00
6,80E+00
3,00E+00
4,00E+00
5,00E+00
6,00E+00
7,00E+00
8,00E+00
9,00E+00
1,00E+01
KgCO2eqv GWP (Global Warming Potential)
GWP (per unit weight Kg)
LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)
PA1 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 1
PA2 = PA6 prime grade
Formulation 2
PA1-PIR = PA6 with PIR
Formulation 1
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
8,82E-01 1,11E+00
0,00E+00
1,00E+00
2,00E+00
PA1 PA2 PA1-PIR PA2-PIR
16
Global warming potential (GWP) is calculated as a sum of emissions
of the greenhouse gases (CO2, N2O, CH4 and VOCs) multiplied by
their respective GWP factors
PA2-PIR = PA6 with PIR
formulation 2

17. LIFE-Inno.Pro.Wire
Next Steps
Processability check on extrusion demonstrator line
Long term durability tests simulation on parts and
specimens : UV resistance, chemical resistance
Impact categories values re-calculation according to :
17
Impact categories values re-calculation according to :
expected life time
quantity of polymeric material consumption per
unit of wire length
Choice of the best formulation based on both technical
& environmental performances

18. Thank You
for Your Attentionfor Your Attention