——再生聚砜应用、等级、性能与颜色全参考(含2026-09-11报价单样本数据及PSU/PPSU对比)
1 概述
1.1 什么是再生PSU
PSU(Polysulfone,聚砜)指双酚A型聚砜,主链含砜基(–SO₂–),是非晶性透明特种工程塑料。其典型外观为透明琥珀(浅黄/茶色)本色,密度约1.24 g/cm³,玻璃化转变温度Tg约185℃,热变形温度HDT约174–180℃(@1.8MPa),维卡软化约155℃,长期连续使用温度约150℃(Solvay官方Udel P-1700约149℃)。PSU耐水解、耐反复蒸汽消毒(优于PC),低蠕变、尺寸稳定,耐无机酸碱盐,介电性能优异,透光率约80%(琥珀色,ASTM D1003)。
再生PSU(rPSU)按料源分为两类:PIR(Post-Industrial Recycling)为主,来自奶瓶/水杯水口料、水处理膜壳边角料、医疗器械加工废料、电子电器接插件废料及工业水口料;PCR占比低,因制品多为长寿命工业/医疗件,医疗废料还需消毒资质,纯PCR透明级稀缺价高。回收工艺为:破碎→分选→清洗→干燥→熔融挤出造粒,加工/造粒熔体温度320–370℃,模头340–360℃,料筒前段360–380℃;360℃以上开始热分解,>400℃降解发黄变脆。干燥要求高,需160℃真空/除湿干燥≥6小时,模具温度120–160℃。
1.2 核心价值
成本端:再生PSU主流成交价约1.8万–5.5万元/吨,原生PSU大宗价约4万元/吨,再生料较原生低约30–50%;透明S-100再生级(约5.5万元/吨)因稀缺而逼近甚至超过原生大宗价,黑色再生级(约1.8万元/吨)仅为原生价约4–5折。环保端:再生PSU省去原油提炼与单体聚合能耗,减排幅度参照工程塑料再生行业70%量级(PSU因加工温度更高,单位能耗偏大,具体LCA需第三方核算,行业标杆约70%量级)。政策端:中国2011年第23号公告将PSU列入可用于食品包装材料树脂名单(限温121℃、禁婴幼儿用途),FDA 21 CFR 177.1655授权原生PSU食品接触,GB/T 40006.1-2021《塑料 再生塑料 第1部分:通则》为再生PSU执行的通用框架。
2 应用领域与具体产品
按公开行业报告口径,PSU全球消费结构中医疗器械约占33–38%(占比较高的板块),电子电器约占18–23%,亚太占全球收入约38.5%(第三方咨询口径,待核实)。下表按医疗器械、水处理/膜、食品接触、电子电器/半导体四大板块分别列出典型产品与选材特征。
2.1 医疗器械
选材核心:耐蒸汽反复消毒、生物相容(ISO 10993)、可环氧乙烷/高压蒸汽灭菌、透明可视。
表1 再生PSU应用领域·医疗器械(8类产品)
| 具体产品 | 典型部件 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 血液透析器外壳/膜支撑体 | 透析器外壳、中空纤维膜支撑体 | 耐蒸汽反复消毒、生物相容、透明可视 |
| 手术器械托盘/消毒盒 | 高温灭菌托盘、器械消毒盒 | 反复高压蒸汽灭菌不变形、耐化学消毒剂 |
| 牙科器械/齿科托盘 | 齿科托盘、牙钻手柄部件 | 耐134℃蒸汽灭菌、尺寸稳定、低吸湿 |
| 呼吸麻醉面罩阀门连接器 | 面罩阀件、呼吸管路接头 | 透明可观察、耐环氧乙烷/蒸汽灭菌 |
| 体外诊断器件 | 血液过滤器壳体、微流控芯片、培养皿 | 透光率约80%、低离子析出、耐试剂 |
| 医用管道/喷雾器部件 | 医用导管接头、喷雾器壳体 | 耐多种消毒方式、韧性适中 |
| 心脏瓣膜配件 | 瓣膜缝合环配套件 | 生物相容、耐反复消毒 |
| 电动手术工具外壳 | 电钻手柄、手术动力工具外壳 | 耐反复高温灭菌、低吸湿、尺寸稳定 |
2.2 水处理/膜
选材核心:耐水解、长期耐水150℃以下、成膜性好、耐酸碱盐、低蠕变。
表2 再生PSU应用领域·水处理/膜(8类产品)
| 具体产品 | 典型部件 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 中空纤维超滤/微滤膜 | 膜丝支撑体、膜组件外壳 | 耐水解、成膜性、耐酸碱 |
| 反渗透/纳滤膜组件 | 膜壳、端板、适配器 | 长期耐水、尺寸稳定、低蠕变 |
| 净水器外壳/净水龙头壳体 | 龙头本体、滤瓶外壳 | 透明可视、饮用水接触需NSF 61(仅特定牌号) |
| 高温水阀件/水管接头 | 热水阀体内芯、快接接头 | 耐热水蠕变、低析出 |
| 化工过滤膜/支撑骨架 | 膜骨架、滤板 | 耐酸碱盐、耐多数有机溶剂 |
| 膜组件端板/集水管 | 端板、集水器 | 长期水压下低蠕变、耐反复冷热 |
| 超滤膜壳/压力容器 | 膜壳筒体、端盖 | 耐水解、耐反复冷热冲击 |
| 水处理设备密封支撑件 | 阀座、密封骨架 | 耐水解、尺寸稳定、耐清洗剂 |
2.3 食品接触
选材核心:FDA/EU 10合规、耐热水、透明可视。注意:中国2011年第23号公告规定PSU使用温度应<121℃,且不可用于制造婴幼儿食品容器(PSU奶瓶受限,婴童市场由PPSU主导)。
表3 再生PSU应用领域·食品接触(8类产品)
| 具体产品 | 典型部件 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 咖啡滤析器/咖啡机部件 | 咖啡滤篮、咖啡机出水口 | 耐热水、FDA 21 CFR 177.1655合规 |
| 牛奶巴氏杀菌设备部件 | 巴氏罐视窗、泵体部件 | 耐121℃以下热水、3A-Dairy卫生级 |
| 微波炉餐具/耐高温容器 | 微波餐盘、加热容器 | 耐短时高温、透明可视 |
| 食品输送带导轨/饮料加工件 | 输送导轨、灌装设备部件 | 耐清洗剂、耐热水反复冲刷 |
| 耐热杯/咖啡杯器具 | 耐热杯体 | 耐热饮、透明可视(限温121℃) |
| 食品加工机械视窗 | 设备观察窗、视镜 | 透明可视、耐清洗消毒 |
| 餐具手柄/厨具部件 | 耐热锅柄、厨具把手 | 耐高热、手感稳定 |
| 婴幼儿奶瓶(受限用途) | 奶瓶瓶体 | 透明耐温;中国限温121℃且禁婴幼儿用途 |
2.4 电子电器/半导体
选材核心:介电性能稳定、耐高温、低离子杂质、耐260℃短时回流焊、半导体级耐湿法化学品。
表4 再生PSU应用领域·电子电器/半导体(8类产品)
| 具体产品 | 典型部件 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 耐高温连接器/线圈骨架 | 连接器壳体、线圈骨架 | 耐焊温、低离子析出、尺寸稳定 |
| PCB基材零件/片状电容器 | 电容薄膜基材、PCB结构件 | 介电稳定、耐260℃短时回流 |
| 5G/通信高频连接器 | 高频连接器、变压器绝缘骨架 | 低介电损耗、尺寸稳定 |
| 半导体晶圆载具 | 晶圆承载器、FOUP配套件 | 低离子杂质、耐湿法化学品 |
| 湿法刻蚀槽/芯片测试器件 | 刻蚀槽、测试插座 | 耐酸碱药液、耐高温、低析出 |
| 传感器外壳/接触器 | 传感器壳体、接触器灭弧室 | 耐热、介电稳定 |
| 灯座/烤箱家电部件 | 耐高温灯座、烤箱内件 | 长期约150℃使用 |
| 充电桩/储能绝缘件 | 绝缘隔板、充电枪内部件 | 耐热阻燃、低析出、尺寸稳定 |
3 行业等级体系
国家标准现状:GB/T 40006《塑料 再生塑料》系列已发布.1通则、.2 PE、.3 PP、.4 PO混合物、.5 ABS、.6 PS、.7 PC、.12 PMMA等分部分,截至2026-09无聚砜(PSU)专项分部分;再生PSU执行GB/T 40006.1-2021《塑料 再生塑料 第1部分:通则》,配套GB/T 46442-2025《塑料 再生塑料色差的测定》。PSU本体材料亦未检索到专项产品国标,按“无专项、执行通则+企业TDS约定”表述。
行业通行分级主要从五个维度展开:按纯度品级、按成型用途、按改性方向、按颜色、按牌号体系,详见表5。
表5 再生PSU行业等级体系总览
| 分级维度 | 具体等级 | 说明 |
|---|
| 国标执行现状 | GB/T 40006.1通则 | 无PSU专项分部分,执行通则+供需TDS;配套GB/T 46442-2025色差测定 |
| 按纯度/品级 | 一级 / 特级 | 特级料次更少、黄变更轻;一级为大宗流通品级 |
| 按成型用途 | 注塑级 / 挤出(膜)级 | 注塑级流动性好;挤出膜级分子量高(原生P-3500 LCD Mw约6.7–8.1万) |
| 按改性方向 | 纯树脂 / 玻纤 / 碳纤 / 矿增 / 耐磨 / 导电 | GF玻纤增强(GF-110~130);碳纤导电;矿增降本;耐磨复配PTFE/石墨 |
| 按颜色 | 透明 / 本色 / 黑色 / 着色 | 透明S-100最贵;黑色最便宜;军绿/钛白/红灰为着色级 |
| 原生牌号体系 | Udel P-1700 / P-3500 LCD / Ultrason S / 优巨Paryls | Solvay Udel P-1700通用注塑;BASF Ultrason S2010/S2010G4;国产优巨Paryls F3150等 |
| 再生行业代号 | S-100系列 | S-100W/S-100透明为再生PSU市场通用品级代号(“S”对应砜类、“100”为纯度序列),厂家定义待核实 |
4 性能指标
4.1 原生与再生对比
原生PSU(以Solvay Udel P-1700为代表)典型性能见表6。
表6 原生PSU典型性能指标(TDS口径)
| 指标 | 典型数值 | 来源/条件 |
|---|
| 拉伸强度 | 70–83 MPa(P-1700约82.7) | ASTM D638 |
| 拉伸模量 | 2.5–2.65 GPa | ISO/ASTM |
| 弯曲强度 | 约100–120 MPa | ChemicalBook |
| 弯曲模量 | 2.7–2.9 GPa | P-1700 TDS |
| 缺口冲击强度 | 约5–8 kJ/m² | 多来源 |
| 热变形温度HDT | 174–180℃ | @1.8 MPa |
| 维卡软化温度 | 约155℃ | ISO 306 |
| 连续使用温度 | 约149–150℃ | Udel官方 |
| 透光率 | 约80%(琥珀色) | ASTM D1003 |
| 密度 | 约1.24 g/cm³ | 多来源 |
| 介电常数 | 约3.1–3.44 | 1kHz/60Hz,ASTM D150 |
| 体积电阻率 | >10¹⁵–10¹⁶ Ω·cm | IEC/ASTM |
再生PSU经破碎+320–370℃再熔融挤出,发生热再加工链断裂与多次光氧老化,性能变化见表7。总体规律:分子量Mw下降约15–30%,力学略降(干净PIR水口料可接近原生),黄变加重、透光率下降、雾度上升;砜基主链化学惰性高,不过度热降解时耐蒸汽/耐水解基本保留,但反复高压蒸汽灭菌后性能衰减加快。
表7 原生PSU与再生PSU性能变化对照
| 指标 | 原生典型 | 再生后变化 | 说明 |
|---|
| 分子量Mw | 约6–8万 | 下降约15–30% | 热再加工链断裂;可用功能扩链剂恢复 |
| 拉伸强度 | 70–83 MPa | 略降,干净PIR水口料可接近原生 | 链断裂使力学略降 |
| 缺口冲击 | 5–8 kJ/m² | 略降 | 黑色/着色级降幅更大 |
| 透光率/颜色 | 浅琥珀透明,透光约80% | 透光率下降、雾度上升、黄变加深 | 多次高温加工+残留UV累加 |
| 耐水解/耐蒸汽 | 优 | 不过度热降解时基本保留 | Mw下降后耐水解余量收窄 |
| 反复蒸汽灭菌 | 经济区间<200次 | 再生料更易脆化 | PSU经济灭菌次数<200次级别 |
| 阻燃 | 厚壁4.5mm可达V-0 | 基本保留 | 与配方相关,薄壁多HB/V-2 |
4.2 按用途与改性分级
成型用途决定流动性与熔体强度要求,改性方向决定刚性/导电/耐磨等附加性能。再生PSU选级时需同时对照两个维度,详见表8。
表8 再生PSU按用途与改性方向分级
| 分级方向 | 典型规格 | 性能/加工特点 | 典型应用 |
|---|
| 注塑纯树脂 | 再生S-100透明/本色 | 流动性好、透明级分选要求高 | 医疗壳体、食品接触透明件 |
| 挤出膜级 | 高Mw再生砜 | 熔体强度高、成膜性好 | 超滤/微滤膜、反渗透组件 |
| 玻纤增强 | GF20%(报价单增强20%) | 刚性提升;再加工纤维变短、逐次衰减 | 连接器、骨架、结构件 |
| 碳纤增强/导电 | CF改性 | 导电抗静电、刚性高 | 半导体承载、EMI屏蔽件 |
| 矿物填充 | 矿增级 | 降本、尺寸更稳 | 一般工业结构件 |
| 耐磨级 | PTFE/石墨复配 | 低摩擦、自润滑 | 泵阀、密封件 |
| 黑色通用 | 黑色一级/特级 | 可掺混、对透明度无要求 | 非透明结构件、电器件 |
| 着色级 | 军绿/钛白/红灰 | 原生着色工业件回收、性能稳定 | 颜色锁定的工业应用 |
5 颜色体系
再生PSU的颜色直接决定售价与定位。报价单(2026-09-11)8条有效PSU料按颜色/品级整理见表9。价格排序为:S-100透明(5.5万)> S-100W(4.5万)> 钛白(3.5万)> 兰红灰绿(3.2万)> 增强20%(2.8万)> 军绿(2.5万)> 黑色特级(1.9万)> 黑色一级(1.8万)。
表9 再生PSU颜色体系(含2026-09-11报价单价格)
| 颜色/品级 | 报价(元/吨) | 品级 | 特点 |
|---|
| 黑色 | 18,000 | 一级 | 可掺混、对透明度无要求,价格较低 |
| 黑色优质 | 19,000 | 特级 | 料次更少、黄变更轻、性能更稳 |
| S-100W | 45,000 | 一级 | 浅色高品级再生砜,白色/本白方向 |
| S-100透明 | 55,000 | 一级 | 透明级最贵,分选纯度要求高、黄变容忍度低 |
| 军绿 | 25,000 | 一级 | 原生着色工业件回收,颜色锁定 |
| 兰红灰绿/高科 | 32,000 | 一级 | 着色级,性能稳定、颜色锁定 |
| 钛白/高科 | 35,000 | 一级 | 白色着色、遮盖性好 |
| 增强20%(GF) | 28,000 | 其它 | 玻纤增强再生料,刚性提升 |
为何透明最贵、黑色最便宜:①透明级分选纯度要求较高——PSU与PPSU、PES、PEI、PC、PMMA外观相近(均透明/琥珀),需靠密度浮沉、FTIR、手持NIR光谱仪鉴别,分选成本高;②透明级对黄变容忍度低,每多一次高温加工黄变累加,合格品率低;③黑色级可掺混、可掩盖杂质与配色偏差,对透明度无要求,故最便宜。
黄变机理:PSU含大量富电子芳香环,强吸收UV 200–400nm(尤其300–400nm),引发光氧化,导致链断裂/交联/发色基团形成而黄变脆化;同时熔体温度过高(>350–400℃)或停留过长引起热降解发黄变脆;再生过程每多一次高温加工,黄变即累加,透明级最受影响。
6 市场与趋势速览
6.1 市场规模与价格格局
全球PSU市场规模2025年约28亿美元,预计2034年达45亿美元,CAGR约5.2%;医疗器械占比居前约34.2%,亚太占收入约38.5%(第三方咨询口径,待核实)。中国聚砜生产企业约11家,CR5产能约85.2%,供给高度集中;优巨新材为国内万吨级企业(2025年约1.5万吨/年),金发科技、浩然特塑配套改性/制品;长三角集聚(企业数约占全国53.6%、产值约61.2%),苏州工业园区形成“双酚S单体—聚砜聚合—医用膜材”链,珠三角依托医疗器械集群。
价格(2024–2026):原生PSU大宗价约4万元/吨;原生透明/医疗/膜级进口牌号小包装零售折10–15万元/吨(Solvay P-3500 LCD约¥135/kg;Udel P-1700国际站约$15–25/kg);再生PSU约1.8万–5.5万元/吨(报价单口径),黑色/着色级1.8–3.5万,透明S-100高达5.5万。中国再生PSU年产量/消纳量未检索到权威公开统计,定性为小众特种再生料,体量远小于PC/ABS,以PIR为主、贸易分散。
6.2 2026-09-11报价单明细(8条有效PSU)
以下为2026-09-11一手报价单中8条有效PSU料明细(另有“PSU再生料|PPO:米黄25,000”品名规格矛盾、疑为PPO笔误,不纳入PSU样本,已排除)。
表10 再生PSU报价单明细(2026-09-11,共8条,已排除PPO矛盾条目)
| 序号 | 牌号/品名 | 价格(元/吨) | 可购量(吨) | 品级 |
|---|
| 1 | 黑色 | 18,000 | 50 | 一级 |
| 2 | 黑色优质 | 19,000 | 20 | 特级 |
| 3 | S-100W | 45,000 | 20 | 一级 |
| 4 | S-100透明 | 55,000 | 30 | 一级 |
| 5 | 军绿 | 25,000 | 10 | 一级 |
| 6 | 兰红灰绿/高科 | 32,000 | 30 | 一级 |
| 7 | 钛白/高科 | 35,000 | 30 | 一级 |
| 8 | 增强20%(GF) | 28,000 | 50 | 其它 |
6.3 PSU vs PPSU对比
PSU(双酚A型聚砜)与PPSU(联苯型聚苯砜)常被混用,但耐温、韧性、灭菌次数与价格差异显著,选材时须区分,详见表11。
表11 PSU与PPSU对比
| 维度 | PSU(聚砜,双酚A型) | PPSU(聚苯砜,联苯型) |
|---|
| 化学结构 | 双酚A型聚砜 | 联苯型聚苯砜 |
| 长期使用温度 | 约150℃(官方149℃) | 约180–200℃ |
| 热变形温度HDT | 174–180℃ | >213℃ |
| 外观 | 浅黄/浅琥珀透明 | 琥珀半透明、颜色更深 |
| 冲击韧性 | 较好、偏刚性 | 接近PC,明显更韧 |
| 耐反复蒸汽灭菌 | 有限(<200次经济区间) | 可上千次灭菌 |
| 水解/耐化学 | 优 | 更优 |
| 原生大宗价 | 约4万元/吨 | 约29万元/吨 |
| 代表品牌 | Solvay Udel、BASF Ultrason S、优巨Paryls | Solvay Radel、BASF Ultrason P |
| 选材口诀 | <200次灭菌、需刚性/透明/性价比 | 200+次高温灭菌、高抗冲 |
6.4 政策法规
中国:PSU列入原卫生部2011年第23号公告可用于食品包装材料树脂名单,迁移限量双酚A 0.6mg/kg(SML)、1,1'-磺酰基二(4-氯苯) 0.05mg/kg(SML),使用温度应<121℃,不可用于制造婴幼儿食品容器(PSU奶瓶受限、PPSU主导婴童市场的政策根源);通用要求执行GB 4806.1-2016、GB 9685、GB 31603;再生材料执行GB/T 40006.1通则,进口再生料要求聚合物纯度≥99.5%、禁止混合废料;医疗部件需ISO 13485+原料可追溯,医疗废料回收须有消毒资质。
美国:FDA 21 CFR 177.1655《Polysulfone resins》授权原生PSU用于食品接触(已核实eCFR),聚芳砜PPSU另有§177.1560;FDA对食品接触再生料采用“基于科学的工艺审批”,再生PSU是否获FDA食品接触授权待核实。欧盟:EU 10/2011(2011/1/14,2024/3190修订),对食品接触再生料持谨慎/审批制,再生PSU进入欧盟食品接触尚无量产先例(待核实);通用执行ELV、WEEE、RoHS。
6.5 减排数据
PSU特有精确碳足迹数字未检索到权威LCA原文。通用再生塑料基准(OECD/研报口径,非PSU特有):每kg原生塑料耗能约84MJ,再生约10.35MJ(约原生12.3%);高品质PCR改性塑料宣称削减约70–90%生产碳排放(行业标杆定性)。文章建议口径:再生PSU省去原油提炼与单体聚合能耗,减排幅度参照工程塑料再生行业70%量级,PSU因加工温度更高(320–370℃)单位能耗偏大,具体LCA需第三方核算,无PSU专属LCA数据。
6.6 东南亚进口渠道与料源背景
政策与贸易背景:中国2017年禁废令后,再生粒子采购与产能向越南、泰国、马来西亚、印尼、菲律宾转移。东盟再生塑胶粒最惠关税约6.5%,凭东盟原产地证Form E可享0关税;RCEP框架下中—东盟塑料粒关税逐步降为零;进口再生料需聚合物纯度≥99.5%、禁止混合废料。
中资出海格局:越南是中资再生/改性企业最集中地——英科再生清化一/二期满产、三期2026Q2投产,越南宁平DPEC回收厂2026年8月投产,浙江海塑胡志明基地年产6000吨改性工程塑料;泰国是汽车/家电改性料基地(会通泰国基地量产);马来西亚承接塑料瓶高质化再生(英科10万吨/年项目);东莞/佛山/汕头/深圳/揭阳再生企业长期布局越、马、泰、印尼做分拣清洗造粒。
对再生PSU的含义(定性):再生PSU/特种砜料东南亚进口目前以“工业水口料随电子电器/医疗制造产业转移”为主要来源——泰国/越南北部电子厂、马来西亚半导体/医疗厂产生的PSU接插件、膜壳边角料,经分拣后回流中国;尚无大规模商业化PSU再生料东南亚进口通道的公开报道(待核实/定性)。中资改性厂出海多做Local-for-Local就近配套,特种高价值砜料仍以中国长三角/珠三角集散为主;RCEP零关税降低了贸易成本,但特种PSU东南亚来源以定性描述为主,无公开量化数据。
7 文章写作切入建议
①《再生PSU是什么?从PIR/PCR到GB/T 40006.1通则一文讲透》——切入1.1/1.2节,讲定义、Tg 185℃、HDT 174–180℃、无熔点值、PIR与PCR来源、320–370℃回收工艺,澄清“PSU≠PPSU”。
②《再生PSU的应用版图:医疗、水处理膜、食品接触、电子半导体四大场景盘点》——切入表1–表4,按行业讲选材特征,突出医疗33–38%占比较高、透明80%、耐蒸汽。
③《再生PSU等级怎么选?GB/T 40006暂无专项+纯度+用途+改性一次讲清》——切入表5总览,讲国标现状、一级/特级、注塑/膜级、GF/碳纤/矿增/导电、S-100/Udel/Ultrason牌号体系。
④《再生PSU性能差多少?原生典型值 vs 再生Mw降15–30%、黄变、透光率下降》——切入表6/表7/表8,用数据回答“再生料能不能替原生”,补充链断裂、扩链剂、玻纤再加工变短。
⑤《再生PSU颜色经济学:黑色1.8万 vs S-100透明5.5万背后的分选与黄变》——切入表9颜色体系,讲为何透明最贵、黑色最便宜,光氧老化(UV 200–400nm)+热降解双机理。
⑥《18,000到55,000元/吨的再生PSU从哪来?8条报价单拆解+PSU vs PPSU+东南亚渠道定性》——切入表10报价单、表11对比与6.6节,讲价差逻辑、灭菌次数差异、RCEP零关税与料源背景。
8 资料来源
[1] GB/T 40006.1-2021《塑料 再生塑料 第1部分:通则》(再生PSU目前执行的通用框架;截至2026-09无PSU专项分部分)。
[2] GB/T 46442-2025《塑料 再生塑料色差的测定》(配套色差测定标准)。
[3] PSU材料物性:Tg约185℃、HDT 174–180℃、密度约1.24 g/cm³、透光率约80%、连续使用约149–150℃——Solvay Udel P-1700 TDS、BASF Ultrason S资料、行业汇总(部分指标多来源,报告口径待核实)。
[4] 再生PSU性能变化:Mw下降约15–30%、黄变/透光率下降、PIR干净水口料可接近原生——热再加工链断裂机理(行业常识,具体降幅待核实)。
[5] FDA 21 CFR 177.1655 Polysulfone resins(原生PSU食品接触授权,已核实eCFR);聚芳砜PPSU为§177.1560。
[6] 原卫生部2011年第23号公告(PSU可用于食品包装材料,限温121℃、禁婴幼儿用途,双酚A SML 0.6mg/kg)。
[7] 欧盟EU 10/2011(2011/1/14,2024/3190修订)食品接触塑料框架法规。
[8] 2026-09-11再生PSU一手报价单(8条有效,已排除“PSU|PPO米黄25,000”矛盾条目)——本报告表9/表10直接引用。
[9] 全球PSU市场2025年约28亿美元、2034年约45亿美元、CAGR约5.2%、医疗占约34.2%、亚太占约38.5%——第三方咨询口径,报告口径待核实。
[10] 中国聚砜企业约11家、CR5约85.2%、优巨新材约1.5万吨/年、长三角企业数约53.6%/产值约61.2%——企业公开资料与行业报告,部分数据报告口径待核实。
[11] 原生PSU大宗价约4万元/吨、再生PSU约1.8万–5.5万元/吨、PPSU约29万元/吨——报价单与行业/自媒体口径。
[12] 再生塑料减排基准:每kg原生约84MJ vs 再生约10.35MJ、高品质PCR改性塑料宣称减排约70–90%——OECD/研报口径(非PSU专属);PSU无专属LCA数据。
[13] RCEP原产地规则、东盟Form E零关税安排;英科再生越南清化基地、浙江海塑越南基地、会通泰国基地等公开资料。
[14] 2026-09-13再生PSU行业数据调研底稿(内部整理,含8条报价单、性能区间、颜色价格、东南亚渠道定性判断)。
注:标注“报告口径待核实”的数据包括——全球PSU市场28亿美元/CAGR 5.2%、医疗占34.2%、亚太占38.5%、CR5约85.2%、优巨1.5万吨、长三角53.6%/61.2%、再生PSU透光率具体降幅、东南亚规模化进口再生PSU的量化数据、FDA对再生PSU食品接触授权状态。以上均为定性/行业惯例口径,未经第三方LCA或官方统计核实。
——Comprehensive Reference for Recycled Polysulfone Applications, Grades, Performance, and Colors (Including Quotation Sample Data as of 2026-09-11 and PSU/PPSU Comparison)
1 Overview
1.1 What is Recycled PSU
PSU (Polysulfone) refers to bisphenol A type polysulfone, with a main chain containing sulfone groups (–SO₂–), and is a transparent amorphous specialty engineering plastic. Its typical appearance is transparent amber (light yellow/brown), with a density of about 1.24 g/cm³, a glass transition temperature (Tg) of about 185°C, a heat distortion temperature (HDT) of about 174–180°C (@1.8MPa), a Vicat softening temperature of about 155°C, and a long-term continuous use temperature of about 150°C (Solvay official Udel P-1700 about 149°C). PSU is hydrolysis-resistant, resistant to repeated steam sterilization (better than PC), exhibits low creep, dimensional stability, resistance to inorganic acids, bases, and salts, excellent dielectric properties, and a light transmittance of about 80% (amber color, ASTM D1003).
Recycled PSU (rPSU) is divided into two types according to the source of materials: primarily PIR (Post-Industrial Recycling), which comes from sprues of baby bottles/water cups, edge trims of water treatment membrane housings, medical device processing waste, electronic and electrical connector waste, and industrial sprues; PCR accounts for a small proportion because most products are long-life industrial/medical parts, and medical waste also requires sterilization certification, with pure PCR transparent grade being scarce and expensive. The recycling process is: crushing → sorting → washing → drying → melt extrusion and pelletizing, with processing/pelletizing melt temperature at 320–370°C, die head at 340–360°C, and the front section of the barrel at 360–380°C; thermal decomposition starts above 360°C, and degradation with yellowing and brittleness occurs above 400°C. High drying requirements include 160°C vacuum/dehumidified drying ≥ 6 hours, and mold temperature of 120–160°C.
1.2 Core Values
Cost side: The mainstream transaction price of recycled PSU is about 18,000–55,000 RMB/ton, while the bulk price of virgin PSU is about 40,000 RMB/ton, meaning recycled material is roughly 30–50% cheaper than virgin. Transparent S-100 recycled grade (around 55,000 RMB/ton) is approaching or even exceeding the bulk price of virgin PSU due to scarcity, whereas black recycled grade (around 18,000 RMB/ton) is only about 40–50% of virgin's price. Environmental side: Recycled PSU avoids the energy consumption of crude oil refining and monomer polymerization, with emission reduction roughly at the level of 70% seen in the engineering plastics recycling industry (since PSU has a higher processing temperature, energy consumption per unit is slightly higher; specific LCA calculations require third-party verification, with the industry benchmark around 70%). Policy side: China’s Announcement No. 23 of 2011 includes PSU in the list of resins suitable for food packaging materials (limited to 121°C, prohibited for infant use); FDA 21 CFR 177.1655 authorizes virgin PSU for food contact; GB/T 40006.1-2021 "Plastics—Recycled Plastics—Part 1: General Principles" serves as the general framework for implementing recycled PSU.
2 Application Areas and Specific Products
According to publicly available industry reports, medical devices account for approximately 33–38% of the global consumption structure of PSU (a relatively high proportion), and electronics and electrical appliances account for about 18–23%. The Asia-Pacific region accounts for about 38.5% of global revenue (according to third-party consulting sources, to be verified). The table below lists typical products and material selection characteristics for four major sectors: medical devices, water treatment/membranes, food contact, and electronics/electronics/semiconductors.
2.1 Medical Devices
Material Selection Core: Resistant to repeated steam sterilization, biocompatible (ISO 10993), compatible with ethylene oxide/high-pressure steam sterilization, transparent and visible.
Table 1 Applications of Recycled PSU · Medical Devices (8 Types of Products)
| Specific product | Typical component | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| Hemodialyzer Housing/Membrane Support | Dialyzer housing, hollow fiber membrane support | Resistant to repeated steam sterilization, biocompatible, transparent and visible |
| Surgical instrument tray/sterilization box | High-temperature sterilization trays, instrument sterilization boxes | Does not deform after repeated high-pressure steam sterilization, resistant to chemical disinfectants |
| Dental instruments/dental tray | Dental trays, dental drill handle components | Resistant to 134℃ steam sterilization, dimensionally stable, low moisture absorption |
| Respiratory anesthesia mask valve connector | Mask valves, breathing circuit connectors | Transparent and observable, resistant to ethylene oxide/steam sterilization |
| In vitro diagnostic devices | Blood filter housing, microfluidic chip, petri dish | Light transmittance about 80%, low ion release, reagent resistant |
| Medical tubing/sprayer components | Medical catheter connectors, sprayer housings | Resistant to various disinfection methods, with moderate toughness |
| Heart valve accessories | Valve Annuloplasty Ring Kit | Biocompatible, resistant to repeated disinfection |
| Electric surgical tool casing | Electric drill handles, surgical power tool casings | Resistant to repeated high-temperature sterilization, low moisture absorption, dimensionally stable |
2.2 Water Treatment/Membrane
Core material selection: hydrolysis resistant, long-term water resistance below 150°C, good film-forming properties, resistant to acids, alkalis, and salts, low creep.
Table 2 Applications of Recycled PSU · Water Treatment/Membranes (8 types of products)
| Specific product | Typical component | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| Hollow fiber ultrafiltration/microfiltration membrane | Membrane filament support, membrane module housing | Hydrolysis-resistant, film-forming, acid and alkali resistant |
| Reverse Osmosis/Nanofiltration Membrane Module | Membrane housing, end plate, adapter | Long-term water resistance, dimensional stability, low creep |
| Water purifier casing / water purifier faucet housing | Faucet body, filter bottle shell | Transparent and visible, drinking water contact requires NSF 61 (only specific grades) |
| High-temperature water valves/water pipe fittings | Hot water valve core, quick-connect fitting | Heat-resistant water creep, low precipitation |
| Chemical Filter Membrane / Support Framework | Membrane frame, filter plate | Resistant to acid, alkali, and salts, resistant to most organic solvents |
| Membrane Module End Plate/Manifold | End plate, water collector | Low creep under long-term water pressure, resistant to repeated hot and cold cycles |
| Ultrafiltration membrane housing/pressure vessel | Membrane housing cylinder, end cap | Hydrolysis-resistant, resistant to repeated hot and cold shocks |
| Sealing support for water treatment equipment | Valve seat, sealing skeleton | Hydrolysis-resistant, dimensionally stable, detergent-resistant |
2.3 Food Contact
Material Selection Core: FDA/EU 10 compliant, resistant to hot water, transparent and visible. Note: China's 2011 Announcement No. 23 stipulates that the use temperature of PSU should be <121℃, and it cannot be used to manufacture infant food containers (PSU baby bottles are restricted, and the infant market is dominated by PPSU).
Table 3 Applications of Recycled PSU · Food Contact (8 Types of Products)
| Specific product | Typical component | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| Coffee dripper / Coffee machine parts | Coffee filter basket, coffee machine water outlet | Heat-resistant water, compliant with FDA 21 CFR 177.1655 |
| Milk pasteurization equipment components | Pasteurizer window, pump body components | Resistant to hot water below 121℃, 3A-Dairy sanitary grade |
| Microwave-safe tableware / heat-resistant containers | Microwave trays, heating containers | Resistant to short-term high temperatures, transparent and visible |
| Food conveyor belt guide rail / beverage processing parts | Conveyor rails, filling equipment components | Resistant to cleaning agents, resistant to repeated rinsing with hot water |
| Heat-resistant cup/coffee cup utensils | Heat-resistant cup body | Heat-resistant drink, transparent and visible (temperature limit 121°C) |
| Food Processing Machinery Window | Equipment observation window, sight glass | Transparent and visible, resistant to cleaning and disinfection |
| Cutlery handles / kitchen utensil parts | Heat-resistant pot handles and kitchen utensil handles | High heat resistance, stable hand feel |
| Infant and toddler feeding bottle (restricted use) | Baby bottle body | Transparent and heat-resistant; China's maximum temperature limit is 121℃ and it is prohibited for use by infants and young children |
2.4 Electronics/Electrical Appliances/Semiconductors
Core material selection: stable dielectric properties, high temperature resistance, low ionic impurities, resistant to 260°C short-term reflow soldering, semiconductor-grade moisture-resistant chemical products.
Table 4 Recycled PSU Application Areas · Electronics/Electrical Appliances/Semiconductors (8 Types of Products)
| Specific product | Typical component | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| High-temperature connector/coil skeleton | Connector housing, coil skeleton | Weld-resistant, low ion precipitation, dimensionally stable |
| PCB Substrate Parts / Sheet Capacitors | Capacitor film substrate, PCB structural components | Dielectric stability, withstand short-term reflow at 260℃ |
| 5G/Communication High-Frequency Connector | High-frequency connectors, transformer insulation framework | Low dielectric loss, dimensionally stable |
| Semiconductor wafer carrier | Wafer carrier, FOUP accessories | Low ion impurities, moisture-resistant chemicals |
| Wet etching tank/chip tester device | Etching slot, test socket | Acid and alkali resistant solution, high temperature resistant, low precipitation |
| Sensor Housing/Contactor | Sensor housing, contactor arc extinguishing chamber | Heat-resistant, dielectric-stable |
| Lamp holder/oven appliance parts | High-temperature resistant lamp holder, oven interior parts | Long-term use at approximately 150℃ |
| Charging pile/energy storage insulation parts | Insulating partition, internal components of the charging gun | Heat-resistant and flame-retardant, low exudation, dimensionally stable |
3 Industry Classification System
Current Status of National Standards: The GB/T 40006 series "Plastics – Recycled Plastics" has been published, including .1 General Rules, .2 PE, .3 PP, .4 PO Blends, .5 ABS, .6 PS, .7 PC, .12 PMMA, etc. As of September 2026, there is no specific part for polysulfone (PSU); recycled PSU follows GB/T 40006.1-2021 "Plastics – Recycled Plastics Part 1: General Rules," along with GB/T 46442-2025 "Methods for Determining Color Differences of Recycled Plastics." No specific national standard for PSU base materials has been found, and it is stated as "no specific standard, follow the general rules and company TDS agreement."
Industry-standard grading mainly unfolds from five dimensions: by purity grade, by forming application, by modification direction, by color, and by grade system, as detailed in Table 5.
Table 5 Overview of the Grading System in the Recycled PSU Industry
| Grading Dimension | Specific level | Explanation |
|---|
| Current Status of National Standard Implementation | GB/T 40006.1 General Principles | No PSU-specific sub-sections, follow general rules for supply and demand TDS; support GB/T 46442-2025 color difference measurement |
| By purity/grade | First Grade / Special Grade | The top-grade material is even rarer and has less yellowing; first-grade is the widely circulated commodity grade. |
| According to molding purpose | Injection Molding Grade / Extrusion (Film) Grade | Good flowability for injection molding grade; high molecular weight for extrusion film grade (virgin P-3500 LCD Mw approximately 67,000–81,000) |
| According to the modification direction | Pure resin / Glass fiber / Carbon fiber / Mineral filled / Wear-resistant / Conductive | GF glass fiber reinforced (GF-110~130); carbon fiber conductive; mineral filled for cost reduction; wear-resistant compounded with PTFE/graphite |
| By color | Transparent / Natural / Black / Colored | Transparent S-100 is the most expensive; black is the cheapest; army green/titanium white/red-gray are coloring grades. |
| Native grade system | Udel P-1700 / P-3500 LCD / Ultrason S / Youju Paryls | Solvay Udel P-1700 general-purpose injection molding; BASF Ultrason S2010/S2010G4; domestic Youju Paryls F3150, etc. |
| Regenerative Industry Code | S-100 Series | S-100W/S-100 transparent is the general-purpose grade code commonly used in the recycled PSU market ('S' corresponds to sulfone type, '100' is the purity sequence), manufacturer definition to be verified |
4 Performance Indicators
4.1 Comparison of Native and Regenerated
The typical performance of native PSU (represented by Solvay Udel P-1700) is shown in Table 6.
Table 6 Typical Performance Indicators of Native PSU (TDS Caliber)
| Indicator | Typical value | Source/Condition |
|---|
| Tensile strength | 70–83 MPa (P-1700 approximately 82.7) | ASTM D638 |
| Tensile modulus | 2.5–2.65 GPa | ISO/ASTM |
| Bending strength | Approximately 100–120 MPa | ChemicalBook |
| Bending Modulus | 2.7–2.9 GPa | P-1700 TDS |
| Notch impact strength | Approximately 5–8 kJ/m² | Multiple sources |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) | 174–180°C | @1.8 MPa |
| Vicat softening temperature | About 155°C | ISO 306 |
| Continuous use temperature | About 149–150°C | Udel Official |
| Light transmittance | About 80% (amber) | ASTM D1003 |
| Density | Approximately 1.24 g/cm³ | Multiple sources |
| Dielectric constant | Approximately 3.1–3.44 | 1kHz/60Hz, ASTM D150 |
| Volume resistivity | >10¹⁵–10¹⁶ Ω·cm | IEC/ASTM |
The recycled PSU is crushed and then re-melted and extruded at 320–370°C, undergoing thermal reprocessing chain scission and multiple photochemical and oxidative aging, with performance changes shown in Table 7. Overall pattern: molecular weight (Mw) decreases by about 15–30%, mechanical properties slightly decrease (clean PIR sprue material can approach the original), yellowing intensifies, light transmittance decreases, and haze increases; the sulfone-based main chain has high chemical inertia, so under non-excessive thermal degradation, steam/water hydrolysis resistance is basically retained, but performance degradation accelerates after repeated high-pressure steam sterilization.
Table 7 Comparison of Performance Changes Between Virgin PSU and Recycled PSU
| Indicator | Native archetype | Changes after regeneration | Explanation |
|---|
| Molecular weight Mw | About 60,000–80,000 | Decrease by about 15–30% | Thermal reprocessing chain breakage; can be restored with a functional chain extender |
| Tensile Strength | 70–83 MPa | Slightly reduced, clean PIR sprue material can approach virgin material | Chain breakage slightly reduces mechanical properties |
| Gap impact | 5–8 kJ/m² | Slightly decrease | Black/shaded level has a greater drop |
| Light Transmittance/Color | Light amber transparent, with about 80% light transmittance | Light transmittance decreases, haze increases, yellowing deepens | Repeated high-temperature processing, residual UV accumulation |
| Hydrolysis-resistant / Steam-resistant | excellent | Basically retained when not overheated and degraded | After the decrease in Mw, the water-resistant hydrolysis residual narrows |
| Repeated steam sterilization | Economic range < 200 times | Recycled material is more prone to brittleness | PSU economic sterilization times < 200 level |
| Flame retardant | Thick wall 4.5mm can reach V-0 | Basically preserved | Related to the formulation, thin-walled with multiple HB/V-2 |
4.2 Classification by Use and Modification
The intended molding application determines the requirements for flowability and melt strength, while the direction of modification determines additional properties such as rigidity, conductivity, and wear resistance. When selecting grades of recycled PSU, both dimensions need to be considered simultaneously, as detailed in Table 8.
Table 8 Classification of Recycled PSU by Application and Modification Direction
| Classification Direction | Typical specifications | Performance/Processing Characteristics | Typical applications |
|---|
| Injection molded pure resin | Recycled S-100 Transparent/Natural Color | Good liquidity and high transparency grading requirements | Medical housings, transparent parts for food contact |
| Extrusion film grade | High Mw regenerated sulfone | High melt strength, good film-forming properties | Ultrafiltration/microfiltration membranes, reverse osmosis modules |
| Glass fiber reinforced | GF20% (Quotation enhanced by 20%) | Rigid enhancement; reprocessed fibers become shorter and weaken progressively | Connectors, frames, structural components |
| Carbon fiber reinforced/conductive | CF modification | Conductive and anti-static, high rigidity | Semiconductor carriers, EMI shielding components |
| Mineral filling | Ore Upgrading | Cost reduction, more stable dimensions | General industrial structural parts |
| wear-resistant grade | PTFE/graphite composite | Low friction, self-lubricating | Pumps, valves, and seals |
| Black universal | Black Grade 1 / Premium | Can be mixed, no requirements for transparency | Non-transparent structural components and electrical components |
| Shading Grade | Army Green / Titanium White / Red Gray | Recycling of native colored industrial parts, stable performance | Industrial applications of color locking |
5 Color System
The color of recycled PSUs directly determines their price and positioning. The quotation list (2026-09-11) categorizes 8 valid PSU materials by color/grade, as shown in Table 9. The price ranking is: S-100 Transparent (55,000) > S-100W (45,000) > Titanium White (35,000) > Blue, Red, Gray, Green (32,000) > Reinforced 20% (28,000) > Military Green (25,000) > Black Premium (19,000) > Black Grade 1 (18,000).
Table 9 Recycled PSU Color System (Including Prices from the Quote Sheet Dated 2026-09-11)
| Color/Grade | Price quotation (CNY/ton) | Grade | Characteristics |
|---|
| black | 18,000 | Level 1 | Can be mixed, no requirement for transparency, lower price |
| Black high-quality | 19,000 | Special grade | Less material per time, lighter yellowing, more stable performance |
| S-100W | 45,000 | Level 1 | Light-colored high-grade recycled sulfone, white/off-white direction |
| S-100 Transparent | 55,000 | Level 1 | The highest transparency grade is the most expensive, with strict sorting purity requirements and low tolerance for yellowing. |
| Army Green | 25,000 | Level 1 | Recycling of native-colored industrial parts, color locking |
| Blue, Red, Gray, Green / Gaoke | 32,000 | Level 1 | Color grading level, stable performance, color locking |
| Titanium Dioxide / High-Tech | 35,000 | Level 1 | White coloring, good coverage |
| Increase by 20% (GF) | 28,000 | Other | Glass fiber reinforced recycled material, rigidity improved |
Why transparent is the most expensive and black is the cheapest: ① The sorting purity requirement for transparent grades is higher—PSU is similar in appearance to PPSU, PES, PEI, PC, and PMMA (all transparent/amber), so identification relies on density separation, FTIR, and handheld NIR spectrometers, making sorting costly; ② Transparent grades have low tolerance for yellowing, and each additional high-temperature processing step accumulates yellowing, resulting in a low yield of qualified products; ③ Black grades can be mixed, impurities and color deviations can be concealed, and there is no requirement for transparency, thus they are the cheapest.
Yellowing Mechanism: PSU contains a large number of electron-rich aromatic rings, which strongly absorb UV light at 200–400 nm (especially 300–400 nm), triggering photo-oxidation that leads to chain scission/crosslinking/chromophore formation, resulting in yellowing and embrittlement. At the same time, excessively high melt temperatures (>350–400℃) or prolonged residence times cause thermal degradation, leading to yellowing and embrittlement. During the recycling process, each additional high-temperature processing step accumulates yellowing, with transparent grades being the most affected.
6 Market and Trend Overview
6.1 Market Size and Price Structure
The global PSU market is expected to be approximately USD 2.8 billion in 2025 and reach USD 4.5 billion by 2034, with a CAGR of around 5.2%; medical devices account for the largest share at about 34.2%, and the Asia-Pacific region contributes about 38.5% of revenue (according to third-party consultancy, to be verified). There are about 11 polysulfone production enterprises in China, with the CR5 capacity at about 85.2%, indicating highly concentrated supply; Youju New Materials is a domestic ten-thousand-ton-level company (about 15,000 tons/year in 2025), while Kingfa Technology and Haoran Special Plastics provide supporting modified materials/products; the Yangtze River Delta is the main cluster (with the number of enterprises accounting for about 53.6% of the country and output value about 61.2%), with the Suzhou Industrial Park forming a 'BPA monomer — polysulfone polymerization — medical membrane material' chain, and the Pearl River Delta relying on the medical device cluster.
Prices (2024–2026): Bulk prices of virgin PSU are about 40,000 RMB/ton; small package retail prices for virgin transparent/medical/membrane-grade imported brands range from 100,000 to 150,000 RMB/ton (Solvay P-3500 LCD about ¥135/kg; Udel P-1700 on international platforms about $15–25/kg); recycled PSU is about 18,000–55,000 RMB/ton (according to quotation standards), black/colored grades 18,000–35,000 RMB, transparent S-100 up to 55,000 RMB. Authoritative public statistics on the annual production/consumption of recycled PSU in China could not be found; it is qualitatively considered a niche specialty recycled material, with a scale far smaller than PC/ABS, mainly PIR, and trade is fragmented.
6.2 2026-09-11 Quotation Details (8 Valid PSUs)
Below are 8 valid PSU material details from the 2026-09-11 first-hand quotation sheet (there is also an item 'PSU recycled material | PPO: beige 25,000' with inconsistent product name and specification, suspected to be a PPO typo, which is not included in the PSU sample and has been excluded).
Table 10 Recycled PSU Quotation Details (2026-09-11, 8 items in total, PPO conflicting entries excluded)
| Serial Number | Grade/Product Name | Price (CNY/ton) | Purchasable Quantity (tons) | Grade |
|---|
| One | black | 18,000 | Fifty | Level 1 |
| Two | Black high-quality | 19,000 | Twenty | Special grade |
| Three | S-100W | 45,000 | Twenty | Level 1 |
| Four | S-100 Transparent | 55,000 | Thirty | Level 1 |
| Five | Army green | 25,000 | Ten | Level 1 |
| Six | Blue, Red, Gray, Green / Gaoke | 32,000 | Thirty | Level 1 |
| Seven | Titanium White/High-Tech | 35,000 | Thirty | Level 1 |
| Eight | Increase by 20% (GF) | 28,000 | Fifty | Other |
6.3 Comparison of PSU vs PPSU
PSU (BPA-type polysulfone) and PPSU (biphenyl-type polyphenylsulfone) are often used interchangeably, but they differ significantly in temperature resistance, toughness, sterilization cycles, and price. These differences should be distinguished when selecting materials. See Table 11 for details.
Table 11 Comparison between PSU and PPSU
| Dimension | PSU (polysulfone, bisphenol A type) | PPSU (Polyphenylsulfone, biphenyl type) |
|---|
| Chemical structure | Bisphenol A-based polysulfone | Biphenyl-type polyphenylsulfone |
| Long-term use temperature | About 150°C (officially 149°C) | About 180–200°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) | 174–180°C | >213℃ |
| Appearance | Light yellow/light amber transparent | Amber is semi-transparent and has a darker color |
| Impact toughness | Better, relatively rigid | Close to PC, obviously tougher |
| Resistant to repeated steam sterilization | Limited (<200 economic cycles) | Can be sterilized thousands of times |
| Hydrolysis / Chemical Resistance | excellent | Better |
| Native bulk price | About 40,000 yuan/ton | About 290,000 yuan/ton |
| Representative brand | Solvay Udel, BASF Ultrason S, Youju Paryls | Solvay Radel, BASF Ultrason P |
| Material Selection Mnemonic | <200 sterilizations, requiring rigidity/transparency/cost-effectiveness | 200+ sub-high-temperature sterilization, high impact resistance |
6.4 Policies and regulations
China: PSU is listed as a resin for food packaging materials in the former Ministry of Health's 2011 Announcement No. 23, with limited migration limits of bisphenol A 0.6mg/kg (SML) and 1,1'-sulfonylbis(4-chlorobenzene) 0.05mg/kg (SML), with a usage temperature of <121°C, and not suitable for manufacturing infant food containers (limitations on PSU bottles, the policy roots of PPSU dominating the infant market); General requirements comply with GB 4806.1-2016, GB 9685, GB 31603; recycled materials follow GB/T 40006.1 general rule, imported recycled materials require polymer purity ≥99.5%, and mixing waste is prohibited; Medical components require ISO 13485+ raw material traceability, and medical waste recycling requires disinfection qualifications.
USA: FDA 21 CFR 177.1655 "Polysulfone resins" authorizes virgin PSUs for food contact use (verified eCFR), polyarysulfone sulfone PPSU also has §177.1560; FDA uses "science-based process approval" for food contact recycled materials; whether recycled PSUs are FDA food contact authorization remains to be verified. EU: EU 10/2011 (revised 2011/1/14, 2024/3190), cautious/approval system for food contact recycled materials, no precedent for mass production of recycled PSUs entering the EU food contact (to be verified); General Motors implements ELV, WEEE, and RoHS.
6.5 Emission reduction data
PSU Unique precise carbon footprint figures not found in authoritative LCA original texts. General Recycled Plastics Benchmark (OECD/research report caliber, non-PSU specific): Energy consumption per kg virgin plastic about 84MJ, recycled about 10.35MJ (about 12.3% virgin); High-quality PCR-modified plastics claim to reduce production carbon emissions by about 70–90% (industry benchmark qualitative). Article recommendation: Recycled PSUs eliminate energy consumption from crude oil refining and monomer polymerization, with emission reductions comparable to about 70% of the engineering plastic recycling industry. PSUs have higher processing temperatures (320–370°C) and higher unit energy consumption, so specific LCA requires third-party accounting; no PSU-specific LCA data is available.
6.6 Southeast Asia Import Channels and Source Background
Policy and Trade Background: After China's 2017 waste ban, recycled pellet procurement and production capacity shifted to Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. ASEAN recycled plastic pellets have the most favorable tariff of about 6.5%, with a Form E certificate of origin enjoying zero tariffs; Under the RCEP framework, tariffs on China-ASEAN plastic pellets will gradually be reduced to zero; Imported recycled materials must have polymer purity ≥99.5%, and mixed waste is prohibited.
Chinese-funded overseas expansion: Vietnam is the most concentrated area for Chinese-funded recycling/modification enterprises—Yingke Recycling Qinghua phases I/II are full production, phase III will start production in Q2 2026, Ningbinh DPEC recycling plant in Vietnam will start production in August 2026, and Zhejiang Haisu's Ho Chi Minh base will produce 6,000 tons of modified engineering plastics annually; Thailand is a base for automotive/home appliance modified materials (Huitong Thailand base for mass production); Malaysia undertakes high-quality plastic bottle recycling (Yingke 100,000 tons/year project); Dongguan/Foshan/Shantou/Shenzhen/Jieyang recycling enterprises have long-term layouts in Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia for sorting, cleaning, and pelletizing.
's Definition of Recycled PSU (Qualitative): Currently, the main source for importing recycled PSU/specialty sulfone in Southeast Asia is 'industrial sprue material with the transfer of electronics/electrical and medical manufacturing industries'—PSU connectors and membrane shell scraps produced by electronics factories in northern Thailand/Vietnam and semiconductor/medical factories in Malaysia are sorted and then returned to China; There are no public reports on large-scale commercial PSU recycled material import channels in Southeast Asia (to be verified/qualitative). Chinese-funded modified factories are mostly going overseas for local-for-local local supply, while special high-value sulfone is still mainly distributed through China's Yangtze River Delta/Pearl River Delta regions; RCEP zero tariffs reduce trade costs, but the Southeast Asian sources of special PSUs are mainly qualitative descriptions with no publicly available quantitative data.
7 Entry Suggestions for Article Writing
(1) "What is Recycled PSU? From PIR/PCR to GB/T 40006.1 General Rules in One Article" — Entering Sections 1.1/1.2, explaining definitions, Tg 185°C, HDT 174–180°C, no-melting point values, PIR and PCR sources, 320–370°C recovery processes, clarifying "PSU≠PPSU."
(2) "Application Map of Recycled PSUs: A Review of Four Major Scenarios: Medical, Water Treatment Membranes, Food Contact, and Electronic Semiconductors" — Starting from Tables 1–4, discussing material selection characteristics by industry, highlighting high proportion of medical 33–38%, 80% transparency, and vapor resistance.
(3) "How to Choose the Grade of Recycled PSU? GB/T 40006 No Special + Purity + Uses + Modification Explained in One Place" — Starting with an overview of Table 5, discussing the current status of national standards, Grade 1/Premium, Injection Molding/Film Grade, GF/Carbon Fiber/Mineral Enhanced/Conductivity, S-100/Udel/Ultrason grading system.
(4) "How Much Is the Performance Difference of Recycled PSU? Typical Value of Virgin vs. Recycled MW Reduced by 15–30%, Yellowing, Decreased Light Transmittance" — Moving into Tables 6/7/8, using data to answer "Can recycled material replace virgin material", supplementing chain breakage, chain extenders, and reprocessing glass fiber to shorten it.
(5) "Recycled PSU Color Economics: Sorting and Yellowing Behind Black 18,000 vs. S-100 Transparent 55,000" — Entering Table 9's color system, explaining why transparent is the most expensive and black is cheapest, with dual mechanisms of photo-oxidative aging (UV 200–400nm) + thermal degradation.
(6) "Where do recycled PSUs priced from 18,000 to 55,000 yuan/ton come from?" "Breaking down 8 quotation lists + PSU vs PPSU + Southeast Asia channel qualification" — Entering Table 10 quotation lists, Table 11 comparison, and section 6.6, discussing price difference logic, differences in sterilization cycles, RCEP zero tariff and material source background.
8 Source :
[1] GB/T 40006.1-2021 "Plastics - Recycled Plastics Part 1: General Rules" (General framework currently implemented by recycled PSUs; As of 2026-09, no PSU special subsection).
[2] GB/T 46442-2025 "Plastics - Determination of Color Difference in Recycled Plastics" (Supporting Color Difference Measurement Standard).
[3] PSU material properties: Tg about 185°C, HDT 174–180°C, density about 1.24 g/cm³, light transmittance about 80%, continuous use about 149–150°C — Solvay Udel P-1700 TDS, BASF Ultrason S data, industry summary (some indicators from multiple sources, report caliber to be verified).
[4] Changes in recycled PSU performance: Mw decrease about 15–30%, yellowing/light transmittance decrease, PIR clean sprue material can approach virginity—hot reprocessing chain fracture mechanism (industry knowledge, specific reduction to be verified).
[5] FDA 21 CFR 177.1655 Polysulfone resins (virgin PSU food contact authorized, eCFR verified); Polyaryl sulfone PPSU is §177.1560.
[6] Former Ministry of Health Announcement No. 23 of 2011 (PSU can be used in food packaging materials, temperature limit 121°C, prohibited for infant use, bisphenol A SML 0.6mg/kg).
[7] EU 10/2011 (2011/1/14, 2024/3190 amended) Food Contact Plastics Framework Regulation.
[8] 2026-09-11 Primary quotation list for remanufactured PSUs (8 valid entries, excluding "PSU| PPO Beige 25,000" contradictory entry) — directly cited in Table 9/Table 10 of this report.
[9] Global PSU market expected to be about $2.8 billion in 2025, about $4.5 billion in 2034, CAGR about 5.2%, healthcare about 34.2%, Asia-Pacific about 38.5%—based on third-party consultation criteria, report caliber to be verified
[10] There are about 11 polysulfone (PSU) companies in China, with a CR5 of approximately 85.2%, YouJu New Materials producing around 15,000 tons/year, and companies in the Yangtze River Delta accounting for about 53.6% in number / 61.2% in output value — based on public company information and industry reports, with some data needing verification.
[11] Bulk price of virgin PSU is about 40,000 RMB/ton, recycled PSU about 18,000–55,000 RMB/ton, PPSU about 290,000 RMB/ton — based on quotations and industry/self-media sources.
[12] Emission reduction benchmark for recycled plastics: about 84 MJ/kg for virgin vs about 10.35 MJ/kg for recycled; high-quality PCR modified plastics claim emission reductions of about 70–90% — according to OECD/research reports (not PSU-specific); no LCA data exclusively for PSU.
[13] RCEP rules of origin, ASEAN Form E zero tariff arrangements; publicly available information on Yingke's recycled materials base in Tinh Hoa, Vietnam, Zhejiang Haisuo's Vietnam base, Huitong's Thailand base, etc.
[14] 2026-09-13 draft research data on the recycled PSU industry (internally compiled, including 8 quotes, performance ranges, color pricing, and qualitative assessment of Southeast Asian channels).
Note: Data marked as 'report veracity to be verified' includes — global PSU market USD 2.8 billion/CAGR 5.2%, medical sector 34.2%, Asia-Pacific 38.5%, CR5 about 85.2%, YouJu 15,000 tons, Yangtze River Delta 53.6%/61.2%, specific transparency reduction of recycled PSU, quantitative data on large-scale imported recycled PSU in Southeast Asia, FDA authorization status for recycled PSU in food contact. All of the above are qualitative/industry convention figures, not verified by third-party LCA or official statistics.