Selenis is a supplier of high quality and innovative specialty polyester solutions for diverse applications. Their mission relies on employing their profound knowledge of polymers, formulations, and processing, in partnership with their clients to develop future-fit solutions and commit to create opportunities.
Selenis is a global business with production sites in Portugal, Italy, USA and Tunisia. Their production facilities have batch and continuous SSP units, producing a wide range of polymers to meet highly technical markets. Their production configurations provide Selenis the flexibility to produce both amorphous and crystallised products.
Committed to playing a role in society’s collective response to the plastic waste challenge, Selenis creates partnerships across the value chain to create long term solutions. Highly focused on sustainability, Selenis and their sister company, Evertis, are members of the IMG Group, headquartered in Portugal with operations around the world. Our businesses have been pioneers in the polyester industry since 1959.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
SELENIS: Selenis’ core activity area focuses on polymerization, innovation, and circularity. There is a high investment and prioritisation for I&R&D activities, focusing on the improvement and discovery for recycling, recyclable and bio-based products. The company is centered in creating a positive impact and offering sustainable solutions.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
SELENIS: Selenis has partnered up with UPM and developed a new bio-based resin. The aim of this project was to significantly reduce the LCA of the final product. We are focused on generating a sustainable and positive impact regarding carbon footprint reduction, energy efficiency, water consumption, whilst helping brand owners reach their 2025 and 2030 net-zero carbon targets.
Besides bio-based products, Selenis has already developed recycled resins, up to 50% and is developing a new resin that will reach 70% of recycled content. Still on the circularity topic, Selenis has developed a resin that is recyclable in RIC1, hence contributing directly to closing the loop on plastic usage, making it fully recyclable and giving it a new life.
On the other hand, Selenis has been working hard and developing new solutions for the healthcare market. Not only are we now able to supply, for example, the medical and the pharmaceutical industry, we are also working on the development of including recycled content for these end applications.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
SELENIS: Our resins, used both for extrusion and injection purposes (including blow molding) can be used for all types of products and applications. Regarding applications we have products for Heavy Gauge Sheet, Technical films, Heat Shrink sleeves, durable goods, CPET Films, Sealing layers, blown containers, profiles, geo textiles & Filaments amongst many others.
We are present on several industries as the Cosmetic, Automotive, F&B, Personal care, Medical etc.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
SELENIS: The specialty polyesters market is a very mature one, that has been experiencing however, strong international competition. The increased volatility in prices and demand, mainly affected by macroeconomic black swans and higher offer fragmentation, has shaken the industry and forced companies to adapt their solutions. Sustainability has been a key driving force of change that has been growing in importance. It is important to highlight the fact that clients must do the proper due diligence not only regarding product quality coming from new players but also on the sustainable solutions. This is why Selenis is highly investing in circularity and the development of bio-based, recycling, and recycled solutions.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
SELENIS: Polymerisation market trends circulate around recycling, recyclable and bio-based products. We have seen an increasing investment from all players along the value chain, down and upstream, regarding one of these three topics. Product wise, clients have been working on migrating from PVC based resins to PET/PETG based resins, as the latter allow for a better solution in terms of sustainability (there are even some markets where PVC usage has been forbidden).
Industry wise, we have seen an increasing investment and migration to the healthcare sector.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
SELENIS: The most innovative products marketed are in-line with the market trends. We believe that the pioneered bio-based product that Selenis’ developed with UPM’s Bio-Meg will have a significant positive impact on the market. There are several solutions on the market concerning also recycled content used.
We have also seen in parallel, complementary solutions regarding traceability, blockchain and other innovations that focus on improving the end-user’s experience and awareness.
Globally, people are slowly starting to understand that plastic should be the product to use, as it has the highest rate of recyclability and is the most environmentally friendly product in terms of production conditions. Plastic is the solution, but only if at an individual level, we change our disposing habits and behaviours, and re-educate ourselves on recycling.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
SELENIS: For the rest of 2023 we expect the market to increase levels of consumption and production. At a new business level, we expect chemical recycling companies to continue to grow and improve their technology and services, as well as bio-based raw material producers to appear.
Investment levels will rise, not only publicly but also privately, with the appearance of JV’s from players in and outside the industry, that will accelerate circular and sustainable solutions.