Client
One of the world’s leading petrochemical producers
Industry
Petrochemical Manufacturing & Polyethylene Production
Background
A petrochemical producer manufactures polyethylene (PE) gas-piping material, the yellow, industry-standard polyethylene piping commonly used for natural gas and wiring-cable applications. They had accumulated nearly 1 million pounds of structurally sound material, but it could no longer be used for its original purpose due to age or slight imperfections.
Because the pipe appeared acceptable to the eye, there was a risk that a buyer might repurpose it for its intended applications without proper testing. To protect end users, reduce potential liability, and uphold its brand, the company needed to have the pipes destroyed so they couldn’t be reused, while preserving the polymer so they didn’t end up in a landfill.
Recycling this obsolete pipe provides a more favorable financial benefit for the producer, as they profit from selling the resin to Sunrise rather than incurring the expense of destroying it.
With multiple truckloads that needed to be shipped immediately to stop unnecessary storage costs, the petrochemical producer sought a partner capable of handling large volumes, providing responsible traceability, and managing the process from start to finish.
Services Provided
Sunrise was selected for our proven track record with major petrochemical producers and ability to manage sensitive, high-volume materials responsibly.
Sunrise provided several services and benefits to our client.
1. Secure Material Destruction
Sunrise accepted the full volume of out-of-spec PE pipe and processed it. This eliminated any risk of misuse and protected the client’s brand and liability exposure.
2. Responsible Downstream Distribution
After grinding the material, Sunrise was able to repurpose it as feedstock suitable for low-risk Construction and Agriculture (C&A) applications, such as irrigation pipe, rotomolded tanks, water tanks, and other non-critical polyethylene products. This ensures the material is responsibly reused rather than put into landfill.
3. Existing Infrastructure and Experience
Because Sunrise already had the equipment, processes, and global buyers in place, the client avoided having to identify and manage multiple downstream outlets.
4. Future Eligibility for Recycled Content Certification
Although this particular campaign was not certified, the material was eligible for Sunrise Sustainable recycled-content certification, an option Sunrise has successfully applied to other petrochemical projects. Similar projects in the future could be added for long-term inclusion in our Sunrise Sustainable line.
Outcome
Our client achieved secure and responsible disposal of pounds of obsolete PE material. Sunrise’s process delivered the assurance they needed:
- Liability eliminated. The material was destroyed and could never be reintroduced into critical applications.
- Inventory cleared. Material was removed from warehouses and written off the books.
- Operational burden lifted. Sunrise managed the entire process—no need for the client to coordinate multiple vendors.
- Positive sustainability impact. The material will be recycled for responsible applications, preventing it from ending up in a landfill.
Need to safely remove off-spec rejects, obsolete finished goods, or sensitive materials from your inventory?
Sunrise provides secure destruction, responsible recycling, and large-volume handling trusted by major petrochemical producers. Contact us today to see how we can help you support your sustainability goals.
