The plastic and cable industries need to move to a circular business model, and to get there, we are making iterative strides forward. With a range of products made with different types of plastic waste, Tratos extends its commitment to the circular economy and its value chain while marketing innovative and more sustainable solutions.
The benefits are numerous in terms of circular economy as it helps to cut CO2 emissions over using virgin material.
There are several approaches, but the mass balance is the right one. The approach chosen to guarantee traceability from the beginning of the supply chain all the way to the finished product, replacing fossil feedstock with sustainable alternative feedstock.
The control of the process is guaranteed by ISCC certification. From bio-based components, a recycled compound was manufactured, saving fossil resources and cutting CO2 footprint.
Case Study
The challenge
In 2021, Tratos received an invitation to join a tender, from one of the leading Italian based integrated operators in the global electricity and gas markets. In the tender, a higher technical score is awarded to cable solutions that are built with sustainable materials and/or through a more energy-efficient process.
Ultimately, the solution should reduce carbon footprint when implemented.
The leading integrated operator suggested that sustainable polyolefin sheathing compounds of vegetable origin for medium voltage (MV) and low voltage (LV) cables would be a viable solution.
The solution
Borealis recognised that the outlined criteria could be met with the Bornewables™ solution. Bornewables is Borealis’ portfolio of polyolefin products is manufactured with renewable feedstocks. According to the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC PLUS) classification, these premium polyolefins offer the same material performance as virgin polyolefins,
but with a reduced CO2 footprint. Borealis produces Borstar® Bn ME6053, based on the Bornewables, a natural, UV stabilised, colourable, medium-density (MD) jacketing compound. With the help of Borealis, Tratos was the first of the tender invitees to offer a solution based on renewable feedstock. This key distinction set them apart from their competitors and helped them to win a considerable part of the bid.
The results
Tratos is supplying cables to the leading integrated operator who is in turn providing energy across the globe with a reduced CO2 footprint thanks to the Borealis Bornewables™ solution.
Along with it being the first cable presented with a jacketing made from renewable feedstock, it delivered a bigger CO2 footprint reduction per ton and with ICCS PLUS accreditation.
