April 19, 2019 – Rotterdam, the Netherlands – LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB), SUEZ, and Samsonite announced the creation of the “Green Grey” edition of S’Cure ECO, a new suitcase collection made from recycled plastic waste. LyondellBasell and SUEZ, through its recycling joint venture, Quality Circular Polymers (“QCP”), converted post-consumer plastic such as packaging into a high quality polypropylene. Samsonite used this recycled plastic to create the outer shell of its new limited edition suitcase collection, which will be sold exclusively on the Samsonite.eu website on April 22 in honor of Earth Day.
“One of the keys to addressing the challenge of plastic waste is identifying new, innovative uses for used plastics. Samsonite’s unique, innovative application is a perfect use for our recycled material because it ensures used plastic does not end in the environment while providing travelers with a durable, lasting product. This is a win-win,” said Richard Roudeix, LyondellBasell Senior Vice President of Olefins and Polyolefins for Europe, Asia and International. “We are committed to being a part of the solution to end plastic waste and welcome the opportunity to partner with respected companies like Samsonite towards this goal.”
LyondellBasell, one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world, recognizes the importance of the circular economy and the role it can play in mitigating and managing plastic waste. It’s one of the reasons why the company has taken a leading role in the Alliance to End Plastic Waste, which launched in January of this year. The company, through QCP, is taking further action to provide sustainable end products on a large scale. Leveraging the combined expertise in recycling, recovery and plastic production, LyondellBasell and SUEZ were best suited to help Samsonite conceive this industry-first innovation.
Christine Riley Miller, Samsonite’s Global Director of Sustainability sees this industry-first innovation as part of a bigger picture: “We are continuously looking for new ways to reduce our environmental footprint across our operations. Of course the research of new sustainable materials plays a key role as it allows us to combine our thirst for innovation with our commitment to sustainability. We are committed to seeking opportunities to maximize the use of recycled and recyclable materials in our products in order to pass on a better world for generations to come.”
“Our solutions cover the whole value chain to produce secondary raw materials and satisfy the highest standards, from industries to consumers. We welcome Samsonite’s initiative, developing the circular economy with a sustainable and reliable product,” commented Jean-Marc Boursier, Senior Executive Vice President of SUEZ in charge of Finance and Northern Europe Recycling & Recovery activities.
For this application, Samsonite selected a circular polypropylene grade Moplen Plus QCP189P. This material is used for a variety of applications including injection molding, which was used in creating this luggage collection. LyondellBasell developed this grade with high impact resistance, even at low temperatures, which addresses the demands required for high quality luggage.
LyondellBasell will have one of the new Samsonite suitcases on display at its booth at K-Fair in Düsseldorf, Germany on October 16-23.
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About LyondellBasell
LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) is one of the largest plastics, chemicals and refining companies in the world. Driven by its employees around the globe, LyondellBasell produces materials and products that are key to advancing solutions to modern challenges like enhancing food safety through lightweight and flexible packaging, protecting the purity of water supplies through stronger and more versatile pipes, improving the safety, comfort and fuel efficiency of many of the cars and trucks on the road, and ensuring the safe and effective functionality in electronics and appliances. LyondellBasell sells products into more than 100 countries and is the world's largest producer of polymer compounds and the largest licensor of polyolefin technologies. In 2019, LyondellBasell was named to Fortune magazine's list of the "World's Most Admired Companies." More information about LyondellBasell can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com
About Samsonite
Founded in 1910, Samsonite is the world’s leading luggage brand with an extensive legacy in trendsetting travel solutions. Renowned for breakthrough research, development and its commitment to innovation, Samsonite has excelled since its inception in a number of industry firsts, including the use of the revolutionary Curv® material in the luggage arena. Samsonite offers an extensive range of travel, business, kids, casual and personal accessory products. Samsonite helps travelers journey further, with ever-lighter and stronger products. www.samsonite.com
About SUEZ
With 90,000 people on the five continents, SUEZ is a world leader in smart and sustainable resource management. We provide water and waste management solutions that enable cities and industries to optimize their resource management and strengthen their environmental and economic performances, in line with regulatory standards. To meet increasing demands to overcome resource quality and scarcity challenges, SUEZ is fully engaged in the resource revolution. With the full potential of digital technologies and innovative solutions, the Group recovers 17 million tons of waste a year, produces 3.9 million tons of secondary raw materials and 7 TWh of local renewable energy. It also secures water resources, delivering wastewater treatment services to 58 million people and reusing 882 million m3 of wastewater. SUEZ generated total revenues of €17.3 billion in 2018.
About Quality Circular Polymers (QCP)
Quality Circular Polymers (QCP) is a first-of-its-kind plastic recycling venture. In March 2018, LyondellBasell and SUEZ entered into a joint venture to acquire QCP, a premium plastics recycling company in the Netherlands. The innovative joint venture leverages SUEZ's collection network and leading-edge technology solutions to improve the identification, separation and preparation of materials to be used as feedstock at QCP; and LyondellBasell's long-standing leadership in innovative plastic production technology, vast experience in product development and deep knowledge of important end markets, such as consumer goods, are being leveraged to further grow QCP's success.