SABIC’s Trucircle PE used for greenhouse roofing

SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corp.), a global chemicals company based in Saudi Arabia, recently partnered with sustainable agricultural climate technology business Iyris and Napco National, a vertically integrated Saudi manufacturer of flexible film and packaging products, to create a durable greenhouse roofing solution.

The greenhouse roof, which incorporates certified circular polyethylene (PE) from SABIC’s Trucircle portfolio, has been used in Saudi Arabia’s National Food Production Initiavie (NFPI), together with other participants from the country’s public and private sector to help improve the sustainability of the country’s agriculture and food security.

As part of the collaboration, SABIC says its linear low-density PE (LLDPE) resin was used in the greenhouse roofing, adding that the polymer material is manufactured with certified circular feedstock from mixed postconsumer plastics.

The company says the mixed plastic scrap is converted into pyrolysis oil in an advanced recycling process before it is used in the production of new polymer resins, such as LLDPE formulations with the same purity and quality as traditional virgin plastics at SABIC’s plant in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Napco then used the LLDPE to manufacture a durable greenhouse roofing film.

“We are proud to have collaborated on this innovative project using our Trucircle material solutions,” says Khaled Al-Jalawi, global circular economy director at SABIC. “The agricultural greenhouses, made with certified circular polyethylene from SABIC, utilize advanced recycled plastic, providing significant sustainability benefits.”

SABIC says the initiative highlights how it is collaborating with local entities to drive plastic circularity, demonstrating the power of collective efforts to benefit the agriculture industry in the country and, potentially, beyond.

Property profile

SABIC says the film made by Napco using its circular PE has a thickness of 200 micrometers. Additionally, the company says it features good tensile strength and elongation and successfully passed relevant Elmendorf tear and dart impact testing. The polymer also delivers high circularity and UV stability, according to the company.

Adding to the roofing solution, Iyris’ SecondSky technology adds thermal behavior by blocking near-infrared heat without compromising the transmission of photosynthetically active radiation.

“We are proud to have sponsored the production of the SecondSky greenhouse film for the Al-Bada prototype farm, utilizing SABIC Trucircle material, which performs very well on our existing PE film extrusion lines,” says Chadi Radi, senior director for business development at Napco. “This collaboration stands as a testament to Napco National’s commitment to sustainable development and innovation. Together, we are shaping a success story that paves the way for a greener future and a more sustainable agricultural industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.”

SABIC says it also is the first material supplier in the region to provide circular polymers from local production with ISCC Plus-certified feedstock from advanced recycling.

Value chain collaboration

Further Saudi Arabia-based collaborators in the value chain of the NFPI include Red Sea Global, a developer of regenerative tourism destinations; Tamala, a local farmers’ cooperative; King Abdullah University of Science and Technology for analytical studies; Terraxy, a soil regeneration specialist; and the University of Tabuk for analytical reporting on the outcome of the project.

SABIC says the greenhouse model facility was built on previously fallow, regenerated land at Al-Bada. The facility includes a meeting center and is fully operational, with its first crop harvests having already been delivered to Red Sea Global resorts.

Altogether, the partners say they see the facility as a solution that could “radically transform” the lives of Saudi farmers and empower them to regenerate land in areas where the impact of climate change has made cultivation increasingly challenging.

“Saudi Arabia still relies much on imported fresh produce,” says John Keppler, executive chairperson of Iyris. “With this project, we have embarked on a mission to transform the Kingdom’s potential to sustainably improve its food security and secure the future of local food production. The integration of our SecondSky technologies with SABIC’s Trucircle materials shows how the continued efforts of Saudi companies can transform the agriculture industry and benefit farmers.”