Recycled Plastic Used in World's First Carbon Neutral Device, the Motorola MOTO W233 Renew Mobile Phone

SABIC Innovative Plastics’ and Motorola’s close collaboration has resulted in the co-development of new Lexan* EXL 8414 polycarbonate (PC) resin, a sustainable, high-tech and fully customized thermoplastic resin made specifically for Motorola’s MOTOTM W233 Renew mobile phone – the world’s first certified carbon neutral device. The new, eco-engineered resin contains up to 25 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) content from discarded water bottles; takes approximately 20 percent less energy to process; and, in addition to greatly enhanced sustainability, gives the new Motorola Renew exceptional high-performance properties. SABIC Innovative Plastics introduced the new Lexan* EXL 8414 resin technology here today at NPE 2009 in booth W123011.

“The MOTO W233 Renew mobile phone is a compelling example of Motorola’s strong and ongoing commitment to sustainability and the environment,” says Bill Olson, director, Office of Sustainability and Stewardship, Mobile Devices, Motorola. “Working together with SABIC Innovative Plastics, we co-developed Lexan EXL 8414 resin for the phone housing to give today’s increasingly eco-conscious consumers a carbon-neutral, high-performance solution. Renew is a mobile phone designed from the ground up to be an environmentally responsible and very reliable device.”

“Our relationship with Motorola dates back nearly two decades, and our new Lexan EXL 8414 resin clearly showcases our latest co-development milestone,” said Tom Stanley, vice president Technology, SABIC Innovative Plastics. “In this case, SABIC Innovative Plastics leveraged our global technology expertise to meet Motorola’s precise specifications for an eco-progressive solution that offered the same high-performance properties and processing ease of traditional Lexan EXL resin. The result is a fully customized material that raises the bar in the race to give customers differentiated answers to their toughest environmental challenges.”

First Mobile Phone to Use PCR Content

The new Motorola MOTO W233 Renew phone offers consumers a more environmentally responsible choice. It is the first mobile phone to incorporate PCR plastic. The housing is 100 percent recyclable and it is the world’s first carbon-neutral phone. One million Renew phones, made with SABIC Innovative Plastics’ Lexan EXL 8414 resin, will prevent water bottles – eight times the height of the Empire State building – from entering landfills. In addition to diverting discarded water bottles from landfills, Lexan EXL 8414 resin production utilizes 20 percent less energy vs. standard processes.

Lexan EXL resin also provides excellent resistance to impact, temperature extremes, and weather. Its superior flow properties enable thinner-wall designs for today's ever-smaller electronics. The material also has exceptional release properties and offers the opportunity to shorten the cycle time significantly compared to alternative PC resins.

Though Lexan EXL 8414 resin was developed specifically for Motorola’s MOTO W233 Renew mobile phone, it is readily translatable to other Motorola products that call for sustainability with exceptional performance. SABIC Innovative Plastics can co-develop similar customized eco-progressive resins for a range of other portable consumer electronics applications as well. These include personal digital assistants (PDAs), laptop computers, digital cameras, gaming devices, and a broad range of other mobility and hand-held products.

“The growing global trend to develop eco solutions that also meet quality and performance requirements will continue to accelerate as greater numbers of consumers the world over voice their demands,” Stanley said. “As with Motorola, SABIC Innovative Plastics is well positioned to meet these requirements with innovative, customized solutions that meet multiple customer needs.”