——再生聚醚酰亚胺应用、等级、性能与颜色全参考（含2026-09-11报价单样本数据及PEI/PEEK/PSU对比）
1 概述
1.1 什么是再生PEI
PEI = 聚醚酰亚胺（Polyetherimide），是一类分子主链含酰亚胺芳环与醚键的无定形特种工程塑料。1982年由美国GE塑料（GE Plastics）以ULTEM™牌号商业化，2007年GE塑料并入SABIC，故PEI原生产业以SABIC ULTEM（原GE体系）为代表，是目前全球产量规模较大、牌号体系完整的PEI产品族。
材料关键物性：无定形（amorphous），天然琥珀色半透明，没有熔点（Tm），只有玻璃化转变温度Tg约217℃；密度约1.27 g/cm³；热变形温度HDT(1.82MPa)约198–210℃；拉伸强度105–110 MPa；分子主链含芳酰亚胺结构，本质阻燃，UL94 V-0/5VA、LOI约47–49%，无需添加任何阻燃剂。加工温度高，熔体350–410℃，模具温度135–180℃（低于120℃易产生残余应力、延迟开裂）。
再生PEI（rPEI）按料源分两类：PIR（Post-Industrial Regrind）来自注塑/挤出厂水口料、流道、浇口、边角料与试模料，是市售rPEI颗粒的主流来源；PCR（Post-Consumer Recycled）来自医疗退役件、电子拆解件、航空退役内饰与3D打印废料，量小、追溯风险高。市售rPEI绝大多数为PIR水口料机械回收——破碎、分选、清洗、干燥后双螺杆造粒，熔融再造粒温度约340–380℃。
1.2 核心价值
成本端：再生PEI主流成交区间约2.2万–3.8万元/吨（2026-09-11一手报价单口径），原生ULTEM 1000/1010国内现货约12万–19万元/吨，再生料较原生低约70%–80%，原生约为再生的4–6倍。价差来源：再生多为低成本PIR水口料；再生料分子量下降、冲击变差、颜色受限；且无FAR/ISO 10993/FDA等认证背书，无法进入航空、医疗主渠道。
政策与认证端：PEI天然满足航空FAR 25.853火焰烟毒（低烟低毒）与医疗ISO 10993/USP Class VI灭菌要求，原生认证壁垒高；再生料因可追溯性链条断裂，原则上不能进入航空结构件与医疗主件，主要落位工业件、低阶电子与非认证外观件。在“降本+循环含量主张”驱动下，rPEI成为工业对PEI有需求但不必认证场景的替代选择。
1.3 重要区分：PEI vs PEEK vs PSU（PEI为性价比之锚）
PEI的市场定位是“性价比之锚”——耐温显著高于PSU，价格却远低于PEEK，且天然本质阻燃、半透明可着色。选型前须先把三者分清，关键指标对比如下（汇总对比表另见第6章表12）。
| 维度 | PEI（ULTEM） | PSU（聚砜） | PEEK（聚醚醚酮） |
|---|
| 结晶形态 | 无定形，琥珀半透明，无熔点 | 无定形，琥珀半透明，无熔点 | 半结晶，本色不透明，有熔点 |
| Tg / Tm | Tg 217℃ / 无熔点 | Tg约185–190℃ / 无熔点 | Tg 143℃ / Tm 343℃ |
| 连续使用温度 | 约170℃ | 约150℃ | 240–260℃（改性后） |
| HDT(1.82MPa) | 约198–210℃ | 约174℃ | 纯树脂约152℃，增强后260℃+ |
| 拉伸强度 | 105–110 MPa | 70–75 MPa | 90–100 MPa |
| 本质阻燃 | 是（UL94 V-0，LOI 47–49%） | 需加阻燃剂 | 是（FST需配方设计） |
| 原生参考价(2026) | 约12–19万元/吨 | 约5–6万元/吨 | 约50–88万元/吨 |
| 代表品牌 | SABIC ULTEM（原GE） | Solvay Udel、巴斯夫Ultrason S | Victrex、Evonik、中研股份 |
| 典型应用 | 航空内饰、医疗灭菌器具、连接器、半导体测试座 | 水具、食品加工、医疗器械 | 航空结构件、轴承、植入、半导体 |
一句话定位：比PSU耐温更高、比PEEK便宜数倍，又自带V-0阻燃，PEI是三者之间的“性价比之锚”；而无定形无熔点（PEI）与半结晶有熔点（PEEK，Tm 343℃）的差异，也是分选鉴别时的核心判据之一。
2 应用领域与具体产品
再生PEI选材核心：耐高温、本质阻燃、耐蒸汽灭菌、尺寸稳定，但因再生后分子量下降、认证链断裂，rPEI主要落位不要求FAR/ISO 10993/FDA背书的工业与低阶场景；下列门槛要求为原生料进入对应领域的法规线，供判断再生料能否适用时对照。
2.1 航空航天
选材核心：本质阻燃、低烟低毒（FST）、耐170℃、可薄壁成型。门槛：FAR 25.853火焰烟毒 + OSU 65/65（或55/55）放热速率，及波音/空客材料认证；再生料无法保留航空认证，仅可用于非认证内饰/试制件。
表1 再生PEI应用领域·航空航天
| 序号 | 具体产品 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 1 | 内饰板/舱内隔板 | FAR 25.853火焰烟毒+OSU放热，本质V-0低烟低毒 |
| 2 | 座椅扶手/结构件 | 连续耐温约170℃、拉伸105MPa、可薄壁成型 |
| 3 | 头顶行李架支架 | 尺寸稳定、抗蠕变、低翘曲 |
| 4 | 窗框/舷窗周边件 | 琥珀半透明可着色、耐候、低烟 |
| 5 | 风管内衬/通风件 | 阻燃+低烟密度、耐温不变形 |
| 6 | 厨房件/舱门衬里 | 耐清洁剂、耐蒸汽、本质V-0 |
| 7 | 照明边框 | 半透明可匀光、耐温、阻燃 |
| 8 | 线缆护套/绝缘件 | 高介电强度、耐温、UL94 V-0 |
| 9 | 氧气面罩部件 | 低烟低毒FST达标、间接生物接触 |
| 10 | 3D打印内饰件（ULTEM 9085） | FDM专用、FST认证、快速试制打样 |
2.2 医疗
选材核心：耐反复蒸汽/环氧乙烷/γ辐照/H₂O₂/UV-C灭菌，生物相容。门槛：ISO 10993 + USP Class VI，HU1000/HU2100为医疗专用级；再生料因可追溯性与灭菌验证要求，原则上不用于医疗主件。
表2 再生PEI应用领域·医疗
| 序号 | 具体产品 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 1 | 手术器械手柄 | 耐反复蒸汽/环氧乙烷/γ辐照灭菌、高强度 |
| 2 | 消毒盘/容器 | 耐134℃蒸汽灭菌、耐化学、HU专用级 |
| 3 | 内窥镜部件 | 尺寸精密、可多次灭菌、生物相容 |
| 4 | 牙科器械件 | 耐消毒、低吸水、精密成型 |
| 5 | 体外诊断耗材 | 耐试剂、低析出、USP Class VI |
2.3 电子电器
选材核心：耐高温回流焊、高介电强度、本质UL94 V-0、尺寸稳定。这是再生PEI可较现实落位的领域（非认证外观/结构件）。
表3 再生PEI应用领域·电子电器
| 序号 | 具体产品 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 1 | 连接器 | 耐高温焊接、UL94 V-0、尺寸稳定 |
| 2 | CPU/PGA插座 | 高温尺寸稳定、高介电、低翘曲 |
| 3 | 继电器/开关 | 耐电弧、本质阻燃、绝缘 |
| 4 | 半导体测试座/老化插座 | 耐200℃以上测试环境、耐磨 |
| 5 | 微波/RF元件 | 宽频宽温介电稳定、低损耗 |
| 6 | 晶圆搬运工具 | 耐化学、耐温、低释气 |
| 7 | PCB支架/光纤连接器 | 尺寸稳定、绝缘、薄壁成型 |
2.4 汽车 + 食品接触 + 工业
选材核心：汽车侧长期耐热+耐油；食品接触侧须符合21 CFR 177.1595（PEI专项FDA条款）；工业侧耐化学+绝缘+尺寸稳定。注意：高端奶瓶主流为PPSU而非PEI；食品级再生料无FDA背书，仅原生指定牌号合规。
表4 再生PEI应用领域·汽车/食品接触/工业
| 序号 | 领域 | 具体产品 | 选材特征 |
|---|
| 1 | 汽车 | 发动机舱传感器壳体 | 长期耐热+耐油、耐约170℃ |
| 2 | 汽车 | 油泵部件 | 耐油耐温、尺寸稳定 |
| 3 | 汽车 | 灯座/点火系统件 | 耐热老化、绝缘 |
| 4 | 食品接触 | 食品加工设备部件 | 21 CFR 177.1595、耐蒸汽 |
| 5 | 食品接触 | 微波器具部件 | 耐热、本质阻燃 |
| 6 | 工业 | 阀门/泵体/隔膜 | 耐化学、绝缘、尺寸稳定 |
| 7 | 工业 | MID立体电路器件 | 耐高温、可LDS、薄壁精密 |
3 行业等级体系
国家标准现状：截至2026-09-13，公开检索未发现GB/T 40006系列PEI专项分册。现行GB/T 40006.1-2021《塑料 再生塑料 第1部分：通则》规定术语、分类命名、技术要求、试验方法与可追溯性，且明确不适用于医疗废物来源再生料；rPEI在国内只能执行GB/T 40006.1-2021通则 + 供需双方技术协议。国际测试主要依据ISO 1133/527/178/180与ASTM D1238（MFR 337℃/6.6kgf为PEI专用条件）等。
行业通行分级主要从纯度品级、成型用途、改性方向、颜色、牌号体系五个维度展开，详见表5。
表5 再生PEI行业等级体系总览
| 分级维度 | 具体等级 | 说明 |
|---|
| 国家标准现状 | GB/T 40006.1-2021通则 | 现行2021-12实施，PEI无专项分册，rPEI执行通则+技术协议 |
| 按纯度品级 | 特级 / 一级 / 二级 / 三级 | 现货市场实际多用“一级/三级”，逐级对应杂质与性能差异 |
| 按成型用途 | 注塑级 / 挤出级 / 3D打印级 | ULTEM 9085专用于FDM 3D打印 |
| 按改性方向 | 纯树脂 / 玻纤增强GF10–40（2xxx系）/ 碳纤增强 / 导电 / 耐磨 | 玻纤增强级再生后纤维断裂、力学回退，定级下调 |
| 按颜色 | 琥珀本色（透明）/ 黑 / 兰 / 灰 / 军绿 / 定制色 | 黑色为流通主力，琥珀透明级稀缺 |
| 牌号体系 | ULTEM 1000/1010/2210/2300/2400/9085/HU1000医疗级 | 1000/1010纯树脂；2xxx玻纤增强；9085打印；HU医疗级 |
4 性能指标
4.1 原生与再生对比
原生PEI以ULTEM 1000为基准的典型性能见表6。
表6 原生ULTEM 1000典型性能指标
| 指标 | 典型数值 | 测试方法/条件 |
|---|
| 密度 | 1.27 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| 玻璃化转变温度Tg | 217℃ | DSC |
| 热变形温度HDT | 约198–210℃ | ASTM D648（1.82MPa） |
| 拉伸强度（屈服） | 105–110 MPa | ASTM D638 / ISO 527 |
| 拉伸模量 | 3.3–3.6 GPa | 同上 |
| 弯曲强度 | 约145 MPa | ASTM D790 |
| 弯曲模量 | 约3.3 GPa | ASTM D790 |
| 缺口冲击Izod | 约32–50 J/m | ASTM D256（23℃） |
| 断裂伸长率 | 60% | ASTM D638 |
| MFR | 9 g/10min | ASTM D1238（337℃/6.6kgf） |
| 洛氏硬度 | M109 | ASTM D785 |
| 体积电阻率 | >10¹⁶ Ω·cm | 行业惯例 |
| 阻燃 / LOI | UL94 V-0/5VA；LOI 47–49% | UL / ASTM D2863 |
以市售商品rPEI颗粒（琥珀色、GRS认证）为对照样本，再生后关键性能变化见表7，其中MFR由原生9升至约20 g/10min是分子量下降、断链的直接实证。
表7 原生 vs 再生rPEI性能变化
| 指标 | 原生ULTEM 1000 | 再生rPEI | 变化方向 |
|---|
| MFR(337℃/6.6kgf) | 9 g/10min | 约20 g/10min | ↑约2.2倍，分子量下降、断链 |
| 拉伸强度 | 105–110 MPa | 约100 MPa | 基本保留，降幅约5–10% |
| 缺口Izod冲击 | 32–50 J/m | 约5 kJ/m² | ↓冲击/延展性明显劣化 |
| 颜色 | 琥珀半透明 | 琥珀加深或着色黑/兰/灰 | 黄变加深 |
再生降幅以定性为主，机理为高温（340–410℃）加工叠加热氧老化，导致酰亚胺键/醚键断链、分子量下降，MFR上升、冲击与延展性下降、黄变。3–5次回收循环后拉伸强度保持率约80%，颜色逐次加深；玻纤增强级回收后纤维长度下降，模量与强度回退。详见表8。
表8 再生rPEI性能降幅定性与机理
| 性能项 | 再生后变化（定性） | 说明/机理 |
|---|
| 分子量 / MFR | MFR上升（9→20） | 高温加工+热氧老化致酰亚胺键断链 |
| 拉伸强度 | 保留约90–95% | 降幅5–10%，工业级仍可用 |
| 冲击 / 延展性 | 明显下降 | 不用于高冲击/结构主件 |
| 颜色 | 黄变加深、不可逆 | 透明级稀缺，多着色黑色出货 |
| 玻纤增强级 | 模量/强度回退 | 挤出过程纤维长度下降，定级下调（如GF20定三级） |
| 多次挤出稳定性 | 拉伸保持率约80% | 3–5次循环后逐次变深，加工窗口与原生接近 |
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PEI选级时需同时对照两个维度，详见表9。
表9 再生PEI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 | ULTEM 1000/1010本色 | MFR约9，加工350–410℃，模具135–180℃ | 连接器、内饰、结构件 |
| 玻纤增强 | GF10–40（2210/2300/2400） | 刚性与HDT提升，再生后纤维缩短 | 支架、结构件、骨架 |
| 碳纤增强 | CF10–30 | 高刚性、耐磨、轻量化 | 半导体夹具、高刚性件 |
| 导电级 | 碳黑/碳纤填充 | 抗静电/导电 | 半导体周转、防静电件 |
| 耐磨级 | PTFE/硅油填充 | 低摩擦、耐磨损 | 阀门、密封、滑动件 |
| 3D打印 | ULTEM 9085 | FDM丝材、FST认证、快速试制 | 航空内饰原型、功能件 |
5 颜色体系
再生PEI颜色直接决定售价与定位。原生PEI为琥珀色半透明本色，再生料为掩盖黄变与异料污染，主流以黑色或着色（兰/灰）出货；透明琥珀本色再生料因高温黄变不可逆而极度稀缺，市场有价无市，本次报价单中亦无琥珀本色透明rPEI挂牌。
表10 再生PEI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 |
|---|
| 黑光亮级 | 25,000 | 一级 | 黑色遮盖力强、光亮表面，流通主力 |
| 黑色 | 22,000 | 一级 | 价格较低，遮盖杂质与色差，接受度广 |
| 黑增强20% | 26,000 | 三级 | 玻纤回收后纤维断裂、力学回退，故定级三级 |
| 兰色 | 38,000 | 一级 | 着色鲜艳度要求高、分拣严格，稀缺性溢价 |
| 灰色 | 26,000 | 一级 | 中间档，多用于电子结构件 |
| 琥珀本色透明 | 无挂牌 | 有价无市 | 高温黄变不可逆，仅干净PIR水口料可做，稀缺 |
为何黑色为主：①黑色遮盖力强——再生料来源杂、色差大，黑色可掩盖泛黄与杂质，易于通行；②黑色来源广——电子/设备黑壳水口料量大，是rPEI主要料源。兰色最贵（3.8万/吨）对应高鲜艳度与严格分拣的下游配色需求；灰色居中。
变色机理：PEI加工温度高（340–410℃），反复熔融、残留水分与杂质导致酰亚胺键/醚键热氧老化断链，颜色逐次加深、黄变不可逆；这也是透明琥珀级再生稀缺、只能以黑色或着色形态流通的根本原因。
6 市场与趋势速览
6.1 市场规模与竞争格局
全球PEI纯树脂年市场规模合理区间约4亿–7亿美元（折合人民币约30亿–50亿元），年增速约4.8%–6.8%（各机构口径差异较大，宽口径含改性料/制品者更高，本数为报告口径，待核实）。SABIC（ULTEM）为龙头，份额约20%–40%（口径不同），其余参与者含Mitsubishi、Solvay、Ensinger等。再生PEI无公开独立统计，业内估计占PEI总消费个位数百分比。
中国产能：金发科技于2025年12月投产1000吨/年PEI中试装置，2026年仍处小批量阶段；中研股份、沃特股份、普利特等主营PEEK/LCP/特种尼龙，未见PEI规模化聚合产线公告（待核实）。中国PEI原生树脂仍高度依赖SABIC进口，未形成规模化产能；rPEI赛道反而比国产原生更成熟——余姚/慈溪集散的主要是全球PIR水口料。
价格：原生ULTEM 1000/1010国内现货约12万–19万元/吨；再生rPEI约2.2万–3.8万元/吨（本次报价单实证），原生约为再生的4–6倍。
6.2 2026-09-11报价单明细（5条，可购量合计120吨）
以下为2026-09-11一手报价单中5条PEI料明细，交货地浙江余姚，全部为现货PIR水口料造粒。其中“黑增强20%”定为三级而非一级，原因是玻纤增强料经回收挤出后纤维长度下降、模量与强度回退，故品级随之下调。
表11 再生PEI报价单明细（2026-09-11，可购量合计120吨）
| 序号 | 牌号/品名 | 价格（元/吨） | 可购量（吨） | 品级 |
|---|
| 1 | PEI黑色光亮级 | 25,000 | 10 | 一级 |
| 2 | PEI黑色 | 22,000 | 20 | 一级 |
| 3 | PEI黑增强20% | 26,000 | 30 | 三级 |
| 4 | PEI兰色 | 38,000 | 30 | 一级 |
| 5 | PEI灰色 | 26,000 | 30 | 一级 |
| 合计 | 5条 | 区间22,000–38,000 | 120 | — |
6.3 PEI / PEEK / PSU 对比
三者同属耐高温特种工程塑料，但定位差异显著：PEI无定形无熔点、性价比居中；PSU价格更低但耐温与强度稍逊；PEEK耐温强度更高但价格数倍于PEI。详见表12。
表12 PEI / PEEK / PSU 关键对比
| 维度 | PEI（ULTEM） | PSU（聚砜） | PEEK（聚醚醚酮） |
|---|
| 结晶/熔点 | 无定形，无熔点，Tg 217℃ | 无定形，无熔点，Tg约185–190℃ | 半结晶，Tm 343℃，Tg 143℃ |
| HDT(1.82MPa) | 约198–210℃ | 约174℃ | 纯树脂约152℃，增强后260℃+ |
| 拉伸强度 | 105–110 MPa | 70–75 MPa | 90–100 MPa |
| 本质阻燃 | 是，UL94 V-0，LOI 47–49% | 需加阻燃剂 | 是（FST需配方设计） |
| 原生参考价(2026) | 约12–19万元/吨 | 约5–6万元/吨 | 约50–88万元/吨 |
| 代表品牌 | SABIC ULTEM（原GE） | Solvay Udel、巴斯夫Ultrason S | Victrex、Evonik、中研股份 |
| 典型应用 | 航空内饰、医疗灭菌、连接器、半导体测试座 | 水具、食品加工、医疗器械 | 航空结构件、轴承、植入、半导体 |
6.4 政策法规
航空：FAR 25.853（客舱材料燃烧/烟密度/毒性）+ OSU 65/65（或55/55）放热，PEI天然达标、无需卤系阻燃剂。医疗：ISO 10993生物相容 + USP Class VI + ISO 13485，HU系列为专用医疗级。食品接触：21 CFR 177.1595（PEI专项FDA条款，注意不是177.1500——后者为尼龙树脂）。电子电气：UL94 V-0、RoHS、REACH。欧盟通用框架：ELV汽车报废指令、WEEE，再生含量主张需第三方验证。再生料进口：中国2021年起全面禁止废塑料进口，再生粒需聚合物纯度≥99.5%、单一树脂为主、CCIC装运前检验+固废鉴别报告，黑色再生料易被判废料需提前送样。
6.5 减排数据
PEI特有的“再生vs原生”精确碳减排百分比未检索到权威公开数值，本报告诚实标注为无PEI专属LCA数据、待核实。可引用的为工程塑料行业标杆量级（非PEI特有，需注明口径）：机械再生省去单体合成环节，方向上较原生聚合显著降耗；SABIC已推出ISCC PLUS质量平衡/生物基ULTEM（Renewable）牌号，第三方LCA数值需逐牌号核实。
6.6 东南亚进口渠道与料源背景
关税路径：RCEP项下，越南/泰国/马来西亚/印尼对华出口再生塑料颗粒，凭Form R（RCEP原产地证）或中国—东盟Form E可享0关税，增值税13%照征。区域产业逻辑：越/泰/马承接大量电子、汽车、航空内饰制造产能转移，产生的PEI水口料（PIR）经当地中资再生厂分拣、造粒后回流中国，余姚—慈溪集散市场是主要内陆落点。
政策收紧信号：越南2025年起全面禁止废塑料进口、仅允许纯度≥99.5%高颗粒；泰国2025-01起禁止塑料垃圾进口（仅免税区工厂在产能范围内可进），东南亚本土再生产能正从“废料分拣”转向“高纯造粒”，rPEI进口货源结构趋紧。
数据可得性说明：HS编码3907.99项下PEI专项贸易数据未单独披露，无PEI专项公开贸易统计；特种PEI东南亚来源以定性为主，专属贸易量待核实。
7 文章写作切入建议
①《再生PEI是什么？PEI=聚醚酰亚胺、无熔点Tg 217℃、PIR/PCR一文讲透》——切入1.1节，讲定义、SABIC ULTEM原GE体系、无定形无熔点/Tg217℃/密度1.27/本质V-0、PIR与PCR来源。
②《PEI、PEEK、PSU别再混了：一张表讲清谁更耐温、谁更贵》——切入1.3与表12，讲PEI作为性价比之锚：耐温高于PSU、价格远低于PEEK，无熔点vs Tm343℃的鉴别判据。
③《再生PEI的应用版图：航空、医疗、电子、汽车食品四大场景盘点》——切入表1–表4，按行业讲选材特征与门槛（FAR25.853/ISO10993/UL94/FDA177.1595），说明再生料落位边界。
④《再生PEI等级怎么选？GB/T 40006.1通则+纯度+用途+改性+ULTEM牌号一次讲清》——切入表5总览，讲国标现状（无PEI专项、执行.1通则）、纯度品级、注塑/挤出/3D打印、纯树脂/GF增强/导电/耐磨、1000/1010/2210/9085/HU牌号。
⑤《再生PEI性能差多少？原生ULTEM 1000典型值 vs 再生MFR 9→20实证》——切入表6/表7/表8/表9，用数据回答“再生料能不能替原生”，讲断链机理、拉伸保留、冲击下降、玻纤回退。
⑥《2.2万到3.8万/吨的再生PEI从哪来？5条报价单+颜色经济学+东南亚渠道定性》——切入表10颜色体系、表11报价单（120吨、黑增强20%定级三级原因）、6.6节东南亚RCEP零关税渠道。
8 资料来源
[1] 材料特性与牌号：SABIC Material Finder / ULTEM datasheet（无定形无熔点、Tg 217℃、HDT 198–210℃、拉伸105–110MPa、密度1.27、本质UL94 V-0、LOI 47–49%、MFR 337℃/6.6kgf=9、加工350–410℃）。
[2] 国标现状：GB/T 40006.1-2021《塑料 再生塑料 第1部分：通则》；截至2026-09未见GB/T 40006 PEI专项分册（报告口径待核实）。
[3] 应用与门槛：FAR 25.853+OSU放热、ISO 10993+USP Class VI、UL94 V-0、21 CFR 177.1595（PEI专项FDA条款；177.1500为尼龙，已纠偏）——SABIC HU系列、Ready Plastics等。
[4] 再生性能变化：商品rPEI样本MFR由9升至约20 g/10min、拉伸约100MPa、冲击下降、黄变；3–5次循环拉伸保持率约80%——zanpolymer样本及行业资料（部分为行业惯例口径）。
[5] 2026-09-11一手报价单（5条PEI明细，可购量合计120吨；黑增强20%定级三级，原因为玻纤回收纤维断裂力学回退）。
[6] 市场与产能：全球PEI市场约4亿–7亿美元、SABIC份额约20%–40%；金发科技2025-12投产千吨级PEI中试——第三方机构口径差异较大，报告口径待核实。
[7] 价格：原生ULTEM 1000/1010约12万–19万元/吨，再生rPEI约2.2万–3.8万元/吨，价差4–6倍（盖德化工/渠道现货及本次报价单）。
[8] 政策法规：FAR 25.853、ISO 10993、21 CFR 177.1595、RoHS/REACH、欧盟ELV/WEEE；再生粒进口纯度≥99.5%、CCIC装运前检验（报关行公开资料）。
[9] 减排：无PEI专属LCA权威公开值，本报告诚实标注；可引用工程塑料行业标杆量级与SABIC ISCC PLUS生物基ULTEM（非PEI专属LCA，需注明口径）。
[10] 东南亚渠道：RCEP Form R / 东盟Form E零关税、增值税13%；越/泰/马电子航空PIR水口料经中资厂造粒回流；HS 3907.99项下无PEI专项贸易统计，特种PEI东南亚来源以定性为主、待核实。
——Comprehensive Reference for Recycled Polyetherimide Applications, Grades, Performance, and Colors (Including Quotation Sample Data as of 2026-09-11 and Comparison with PEI/PEEK/PSU)
1 Overview
1.1 What is Recycled PEI
PEI = Polyetherimide, is a type of amorphous special engineering plastic whose molecular main chain contains imide aromatic rings and ether bonds. It was commercialized under the ULTEM™ brand by GE Plastics in the United States in 1982. In 2007, GE Plastics merged into SABIC, so the original PEI production industry is represented by SABIC ULTEM (original GE system), which is currently a PEI product family with a relatively large global production scale and a complete range of grades.
Key material properties: Amorphous, natural amber-colored semi-transparent, no melting point (Tm), only a glass transition temperature Tg of about 217°C; density about 1.27 g/cm³; heat deflection temperature HDT (1.82 MPa) about 198–210°C; tensile strength 105–110 MPa; main molecular chain contains aromatic imide structures, inherently flame retardant, UL94 V-0/5VA, LOI about 47–49%, no need to add any flame retardants. High processing temperature, melt 350–410°C, mold temperature 135–180°C (below 120°C, residual stress and delayed cracking are likely).
Recycled PEI (rPEI) is divided into two types based on its source: PIR (Post-Industrial Regrind) comes from injection molding/extrusion sprues, runners, gates, scraps, and trial mold materials, and is the mainstream source of commercially available rPEI pellets; PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) comes from retired medical parts, dismantled electronics, retired aerospace interior components, and 3D printing waste, with small quantities and high traceability risks. The vast majority of commercially available rPEI is mechanically recycled from PIR sprues—crushed, sorted, washed, dried, and then twin-screw extruded into pellets, with a melt re-pelletizing temperature of about 340–380°C.
1.2 Core Values
Cost side: The mainstream transaction range for recycled PEI is about 22,000–38,000 RMB/ton (based on a first-hand quotation as of 2026-09-11), while domestic spot prices for virgin ULTEM 1000/1010 are about 120,000–190,000 RMB/ton. Recycled material is about 70%–80% cheaper than virgin material, with virgin material being approximately 4–6 times more expensive than recycled. Source of the price difference: recycled material mostly comes from low-cost PIR gate scrap; recycled material has reduced molecular weight, poorer impact resistance, and color limitations; moreover, without certifications such as FAR/ISO 10993/FDA, it cannot enter the main channels of aerospace or medical industries.
Policy and Certification Side: PEI naturally meets the aviation FAR 25.853 flame, smoke, and toxicity (low smoke and low toxicity) requirements, as well as medical ISO 10993/USP Class VI sterilization standards, with high barriers for original certification; recycled materials, due to breaks in the traceability chain, in principle cannot enter aviation structural parts or main medical components, and are mainly used in industrial parts, lower-tier electronics, and non-certified appearance components. Driven by the 'cost reduction and recycled content advocacy,' rPEI has become an alternative choice for industrial scenarios where there is a demand for PEI but certification is not required.
1.3 Important Distinction: PEI vs PEEK vs PSU (PEI as the benchmark for cost-performance)
PEI's market positioning is 'the anchor of cost-performance' — its temperature resistance is significantly higher than PSU, yet its price is much lower than PEEK, and it is naturally flame-retardant, semi-transparent, and colorable. Before selecting a material, one must first distinguish among the three, with key indicator comparisons as follows (for a summarized comparison table, see Table 12 in Chapter 6).
| Dimension | PEI (ULTEM) | PSU (Polysulfone) | PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) |
|---|
| Crystalline form | Amorphous, amber translucent, no melting point | Amorphous, amber translucent, no melting point | Semi-crystalline, naturally opaque, has a melting point |
| Tg / Tm | Tg 217℃ / No melting point | Tg approximately 185–190°C / no melting point | Tg 143℃ / Tm 343℃ |
| Continuous use temperature | About 170°C | About 150°C | 240–260℃ (after modification) |
| HDT (1.82 MPa) | Approximately 198–210°C | About 174°C | Pure resin about 152°C, after reinforcement 260°C |
| Tensile Strength | 105–110 MPa | 70–75 MPa | 90–100 MPa |
| Inherently flame-retardant | Yes (UL94 V-0, LOI 47–49%) | Flame retardant needs to be added | Yes (FST requires formula design) |
| Native Reference Price (2026) | Approximately 120,000–190,000 yuan/ton | About 50,000–60,000 yuan/ton | Approximately 500,000–880,000 yuan/ton |
| Representative brand | SABIC ULTEM (formerly GE) | Solvay Udel, BASF Ultrason S | Victrex, Evonik, Zhongyan Co., Ltd. |
| Typical Applications | Aerospace interiors, medical sterilization equipment, connectors, semiconductor test sockets | Water utensils, food processing, medical devices | Aerospace structural components, bearings, implants, semiconductors |
One-sentence positioning: PEI has a higher temperature tolerance than PSU, is several times cheaper than PEEK, and comes with V-0 flame retardancy, making it the "cost-performance anchor" among the three; moreover, the difference between being amorphous with no melting point (PEI) and semi-crystalline with a melting point (PEEK, Tm 343℃) is also one of the key criteria for sorting and identification.
2 Application Areas and Specific Products
Core considerations for selecting recycled PEI: high temperature resistance, inherent flame retardancy, steam sterilization resistance, and dimensional stability. However, due to reduced molecular weight and broken certification chains after recycling, rPEI is mainly used in industrial and lower-tier scenarios that do not require FAR/ISO 10993/FDA endorsement. The following threshold requirements are the regulatory lines for virgin materials to enter the corresponding fields, provided for reference when assessing whether recycled materials can be applied.
2.1 Aerospace
Material Selection Core: Essentially flame-retardant, low smoke and low toxicity (FST), resistant to 170°C, and suitable for thin-wall molding. Threshold: FAR 25.853 flame smoke toxicity, OSU 65/65 (or 55/55) heat release rate, and Boeing/Airbus material certification; recycled materials cannot retain aviation certification and can only be used for non-certified interior parts/prototype parts.
Table 1 Application Areas of Recycled PEI · Aerospace
| Serial Number | Specific product | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| One | Interior panel / cabin partition | FAR 25.853 flame and smoke toxicity OSU exothermic, inherently V-0 low smoke and low toxicity |
| Two | Seat Armrest/Structural Components | Continuous temperature resistance of about 170°C, tensile strength of 105 MPa, suitable for thin-wall forming |
| Three | Overhead luggage rack bracket | Dimensionally stable, creep-resistant, low warping |
| Four | Window frame / porthole surrounding parts | Amber is semi-transparent, colorable, weather-resistant, and low-smoke |
| Five | Duct Lining / Ventilation Components | Flame retardant, low smoke density, temperature-resistant without deformation |
| Six | Kitchen parts / cabin door lining | Chemical-resistant, steam-resistant, inherently V-0 |
| Seven | Lighting frame | Translucent, can diffuse light, heat-resistant, flame-retardant |
| Eight | Cable Sheath/Insulation Components | High dielectric strength, temperature resistance, UL94 V-0 |
| Nine | Oxygen mask components | Low-smoke, low-toxicity FST compliant, indirect biological contact |
| Ten | 3D Printed Interior Parts (ULTEM 9085) | Dedicated to FDM, FST certified, rapid prototyping |
2.2 Medical
Material selection core: Resistant to repeated sterilization by steam/ethylene oxide/γ-irradiation/H₂O₂/UV-C, biocompatible. Benchmark: ISO 10993, USP Class VI; HU1000/HU2100 are medical-grade; recycled materials, due to traceability and sterilization validation requirements, are in principle not used for main medical components.
Table 2 Applications of Recycled PEI · Medical
| Serial Number | Specific product | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| One | Surgical instrument handle | Resistant to repeated steam/ethylene oxide/γ irradiation sterilization, high strength |
| Two | Sterilization tray/container | Withstands 134℃ steam sterilization, chemical resistant, HU medical-grade |
| Three | Endoscope components | Precise in size, can be sterilized multiple times, biocompatible |
| Four | Dental instruments | Disinfection-resistant, low water absorption, precision molding |
| Five | In vitro diagnostic consumables | Reagent-resistant, low precipitation, USP Class VI |
2.3 Electronics and Electrical Appliances
Core material selection: high-temperature reflow soldering, high dielectric strength, inherently UL94 V-0, dimensionally stable. This is a field where recycled PEI can realistically be applied (non-certified appearance/structural parts).
Table 3 Recycled PEI Application Areas · Electronics and Electrical Appliances
| Serial Number | Specific product | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| One | Connector | High-temperature resistant welding, UL94 V-0, dimensionally stable |
| Two | CPU/PGA Socket | High temperature dimensional stability, high dielectric, low warpage |
| Three | Relay/Switch | Arc-resistant, inherently flame-retardant, insulated |
| Four | Semiconductor Test Socket/Aging Socket | Withstands test environments above 200°C, wear-resistant |
| Five | Microwave/RF Components | Broadband and wide temperature dielectric stability, low loss |
| Six | Wafer handling tool | Chemical-resistant, temperature-resistant, low off-gassing |
| Seven | PCB Bracket / Fiber Optic Connector | Dimensionally stable, insulating, thin-wall molding |
2.4 Automotive Food Contact Industrial
Material selection core: The automotive side requires long-term heat and oil resistance; the food contact side must comply with 21 CFR 177.1595 (PEI specific FDA provision); the industrial side requires chemical resistance, insulation, and dimensional stability. Note: Mainstream high-end baby bottles use PPSU rather than PEI; recycled food-grade material has no FDA endorsement, only specified grades of virgin material are compliant.
Table 4 Application Fields of Recycled PEI · Automotive / Food Contact / Industrial
| Serial Number | field | Specific product | Material Selection Characteristics |
|---|
| One | Car | Engine compartment sensor housing | Long-term heat resistance, oil resistance, up to about 170°C |
| Two | Car | Oil pump components | Oil-resistant and temperature-resistant, dimensionally stable |
| Three | Car | Lamp holder/Ignition system parts | Heat-resistant aging, insulation |
| Four | Food contact | Food Processing Equipment Components | 21 CFR 177.1595, Steam Resistant |
| Five | Food contact | Microwave appliance components | Heat-resistant, inherently flame-retardant |
| Six | Industry | Valve/Pump Body/Diaphragm | Chemical-resistant, insulating, dimensionally stable |
| Seven | Industry | MID three-dimensional circuit device | High temperature resistant, LDS compatible, thin-walled precision |
3 Industry Classification System
Current Status of National Standards: As of September 13, 2026, no specialized PEI sub-series of GB/T 40006 has been found through public search. The current GB/T 40006.1-2021 "Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Part 1: General Rules" stipulates terms, classification names, technical requirements, test methods, and traceability, and explicitly does not apply to recycled materials originating from medical waste; in China, rPEI can only follow the general rules of GB/T 40006.1-2021 through technical agreements between supply and demand parties. International testing mainly relies on ISO 1133/527/178/180 and ASTM D1238 (MFR 337°C/6.6 kgf being the specific condition for PEI), etc.
Industry-standard grading mainly unfolds from five dimensions: purity grade, molding application, modification direction, color, and grade designation system. See Table 5 for details.
Table 5 Overview of the Recycling PEI Industry Grading System
| Grading Dimension | Specific level | Explanation |
|---|
| Current Status of National Standards | GB/T 40006.1-2021 General Rules | Currently implemented in December 2021, PEI has no special volume, rPEI follows the general rules technical agreement |
| By purity grade | Special Grade / First Grade / Second Grade / Third Grade | In the spot market, 'Grade 1/Grade 3' is actually more commonly used, with each grade corresponding to differences in impurities and performance. |
| According to the molding use | Injection molding grade / Extrusion grade / 3D printing grade | ULTEM 9085 is specially used for FDM 3D printing |
| According to the modification direction | Pure resin / Glass fiber reinforced GF10–40 (2xxx series) / Carbon fiber reinforced / Conductive / Wear-resistant | Glass fiber reinforced grade shows fiber breakage and mechanical regression after recycling, resulting in lower grading |
| By color | Amber original color (transparent) / Black / Blue / Gray / Army green / Custom color | Black is the main circulation, amber transparent grade is rare |
| Grade system | ULTEM 1000/1010/2210/2300/2400/9085/HU1000 Medical Grade | 1000/1010 pure resin; 2xxx glass fiber reinforced; 9085 printed; HU medical grade |
4 Performance Indicators
4.1 Comparison of Native and Regenerated
The typical performance of native PEI based on ULTEM 1000 is shown in Table 6.
Table 6 Typical Performance Indicators of Virgin ULTEM 1000
| Indicator | Typical value | Test Method/Condition |
|---|
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ | ASTM D792 |
| Glass transition temperature Tg | 217℃ | DSC |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT) | Approximately 198–210°C | ASTM D648 (1.82 MPa) |
| Tensile Strength (Yield) | 105–110 MPa | ASTM D638 / ISO 527 |
| Tensile modulus | 3.3–3.6 GPa | Same as above |
| Bending strength | approximately 145 MPa | ASTM D790 |
| Bending Modulus | About 3.3 GPa | ASTM D790 |
| Notch impact Izod | Approximately 32–50 J/m | ASTM D256 (23°C) |
| Elongation at break | 60% | ASTM D638 |
| MFR | 9 g/10min | ASTM D1238 (337℃/6.6 kgf) |
| Rockwell hardness | M109 | ASTM D785 |
| Volume resistivity | >10¹⁶ Ω·cm | Industry practice |
| Flame Retardant / LOI | UL94 V-0/5VA; LOI 47–49% | UL / ASTM D2863 |
Using commercially available rPEI pellets (amber-colored, GRS certified) as the control sample, the changes in key properties after regeneration are shown in Table 7, among which the increase in MFR from 9 to about 20 g/10min is direct evidence of molecular weight reduction and chain scission.
Table 7 Performance Changes of Virgin vs Recycled rPEI
| Indicator | Native ULTEM 1000 | Regenerated rPEI | Direction of change |
|---|
| MFR (337℃/6.6kgf) | 9 g/10min | About 20 g/10 min | ↑ about 2.2 times, molecular weight decreases, chain breaks |
| Tensile strength | 105–110 MPa | About 100 MPa | Basically retained, with a reduction of about 5–10% |
| Notch Izod Impact | 32–50 J/m | About 5 kJ/m² | ↓Impact/ductility significantly deteriorated |
| Color | Amber translucent | Amber deepened or colored black/blue/gray | Yellowing deepens |
The reduction in regeneration is mainly qualitative, with the mechanism being high-temperature (340–410°C) processing combined with thermo-oxidative aging, leading to the breaking of imide/ether bonds, decreased molecular weight, increased MFR, reduced impact resistance and ductility, and yellowing. After 3–5 recycling cycles, the tensile strength retention is about 80%, and the color deepens progressively; for glass fiber-reinforced grades, the fiber length decreases after recycling, with modulus and strength declining. See Table 8 for details.
Table 8 Qualitative Performance Degradation and Mechanism of Recycled rPEI
| Performance items | Changes After Regeneration (Qualitative) | Explanation/Mechanism |
|---|
| Molecular Weight / MFR | MFR increase (9→20) | High-temperature processing and thermo-oxidative aging cause imide bond cleavage |
| Tensile strength | Retain about 90–95% | A decrease of 5–10%, still usable for industrial grade |
| Impact / Ductility | Significant decline | Not for high-impact/structural components |
| Color | Yellowing deepens, irreversible | Transparent grade is scarce, heavily colored black is being shipped |
| Glass fiber reinforced grade | Modulus/Strength Regression | During the extrusion process, the fiber length decreases, and the grade is downgraded (e.g., GF20 is graded as level 3). |
| Stability under repeated extrusion | Stretch retention rate about 80% | After 3–5 cycles, it gradually deepens, and the processing window is close to the original. |
4.2 Classification by Use and Modification
The molding application determines the flowability and melt strength requirements, and the modification direction determines additional properties such as rigidity/conductivity/wear resistance. When selecting recycled PEI, both dimensions need to be considered simultaneously; see Table 9 for details.
Table 9 Classification of Recycled PEI by Application and Modification Direction
| Classification Direction | Typical specifications | Performance/Processing Characteristics | Typical Applications |
|---|
| Injection molded pure resin | ULTEM 1000/1010 Natural Color | MFR about 9, processing 350–410℃, mold 135–180℃ | Connectors, interior trim, structural components |
| Glass fiber reinforced | GF10–40 (2210/2300/2400) | Increased rigidity and HDT, fiber shortening after regeneration | Brackets, structural components, framework |
| Carbon fiber reinforced | CF10–30 | High rigidity, wear-resistant, lightweight | Semiconductor fixtures, high-rigidity parts |
| conductive grade | Carbon black/carbon fiber filled | Anti-static/Conductive | Semiconductor turnover, anti-static components |
| wear-resistant grade | PTFE/silicone oil filled | Low friction, wear-resistant | Valves, seals, sliding parts |
| 3D printing | ULTEM 9085 | FDM filament, FST certification, rapid prototyping | Aircraft interior prototypes and functional parts |
5 Color System
The color of recycled PEI directly determines its price and market positioning. Virgin PEI has an amber semi-transparent natural color, while recycled materials are mainly shipped in black or colored (blue/gray) to mask yellowing and contamination from foreign materials; transparent amber natural-colored recycled PEI is extremely rare because high-temperature yellowing is irreversible. There is a price but no market for it, and there is no listing of transparent amber natural-colored rPEI in this quotation sheet.
Table 10 Recycled PEI Color System (Including Quotation Prices as of 2026-09-11)
| Color/Grade | Price quotation (CNY/ton) | Grade | Characteristics |
|---|
| Black Gloss Level | 25,000 | Level 1 | Black, strong coverage, glossy surface, mainstream circulation |
| black | 22,000 | Level 1 | Low price, covers impurities and color differences, widely accepted |
| Black enhancement 20% | 26,000 | Level 3 | After glass fiber recycling, the fibers break and mechanical properties deteriorate, so it is rated as grade three. |
| Blue | 38,000 | Level 1 | High requirements for color brightness, strict sorting, scarcity premium |
| Gray | 26,000 | Level 1 | Medium grade, mostly used for electronic structural parts |
| Amber's natural color is transparent | No listing | There is value but no market | High-temperature yellowing is irreversible, only clean PIR sprue material can be used, scarce |
Why black is dominant: ① Black has strong coverage — recycled materials have mixed sources and large color differences, black can hide yellowing and impurities, making it easier to use; ② Black is widely available — a large amount of electronic/device black shell sprue material is the main source of rPEI. Blue is the most expensive (38,000 yuan/ton) due to its high brightness and strict downstream color matching requirements; gray is in the middle.
Color change mechanism: PEI has a high processing temperature (340–410°C), and repeated melting, residual moisture, and impurities lead to thermal-oxidative degradation and chain breakage of imide/ether bonds, causing the color to deepen progressively and yellow irreversibly; this is also the fundamental reason why transparent amber-grade recycled material is scarce and can only be circulated in black or colored forms.
6 Market and Trend Overview
6.1 Market Size and Competitive Landscape
The global annual market size for pure PEI resin is reasonably estimated at about $400 million–$700 million (approximately RMB 3–5 billion), with an annual growth rate of about 4.8%–6.8% (differences exist among various organizations; broader estimates including modified materials/products are higher; the figures here are based on report numbers and need verification). SABIC (ULTEM) is the leader, with a share of about 20%–40% (depending on the reporting scope), while other participants include Mitsubishi, Solvay, Ensinger, etc. There are no publicly available independent statistics for recycled PEI, but industry estimates suggest it accounts for a single-digit percentage of total PEI consumption.
China's production capacity: Jinhui Technology started operation of a 1,000-ton/year PEI pilot plant in December 2025, and in 2026 it is still at a small-batch stage; Zhongyan Co., Wote Co., and Prite, among others, mainly produce PEEK/LCP/specialty nylons, and there are no announcements of large-scale PEI polymerization lines (to be verified). China's virgin PEI resin is still highly dependent on imports from SABIC, and large-scale production capacity has not yet been established; the rPEI sector is actually more mature than domestic virgin PEI—the main Pir materials distributed in Yuyao/Cixi are from global PIR feedstock.
Price: Domestic stock of virgin ULTEM 1000/1010 is about 120,000–190,000 RMB/ton; recycled rPEI is about 22,000–38,000 RMB/ton (as evidenced by the current quotation sheet), with virgin material being about 4–6 times that of recycled material.
6.2 Quotation Details on 2026-09-11 (5 items, total purchasable quantity 120 tons)
The following are 5 detailed items of PEI material from the first-hand quotation on 2026-09-11, with the delivery location in Yuyao, Zhejiang, all being in-stock PIR sprue material granules. Among them, the 'black reinforced 20%' is classified as Grade 3 rather than Grade 1, because the fiber length of glass fiber reinforced material decreases after being recycled and extruded, and its modulus and strength regress, thus the grade is downgraded accordingly.
Table 11 Recycled PEI Quotation Details (2026-09-11, Total Purchasable Quantity 120 Tons)
| Serial Number | Grade/Name | Price (Yuan/ton) | Purchasable Quantity (tons) | Grade |
|---|
| One | PEI Black Glossy Grade | 25,000 | Ten | Level 1 |
| Two | PEI Black | 22,000 | Twenty | Level 1 |
| Three | PEI Black Reinforced 20% | 26,000 | Thirty | Level 3 |
| Four | PEI Blue | 38,000 | Thirty | Level One |
| Five | PEI Gray | 26,000 | Thirty | Level 1 |
| Total | 5 items | Range 22,000–38,000 | One Hundred Twenty | — |
6.3 Comparison of PEI / PEEK / PSU
All three belong to high-temperature resistant special engineering plastics, but their positioning differs significantly: PEI is amorphous with no melting point and has a moderate cost-performance ratio; PSU is cheaper but has slightly lower temperature resistance and strength; PEEK has higher temperature resistance and strength but costs several times more than PEI. See Table 12 for details.
Table 12 Key Comparisons of PEI / PEEK / PSU
| Dimension | PEI (ULTEM) | PSU (Polysulfone) | PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) |
|---|
| Crystallization / Melting Point | Amorphous, no melting point, Tg 217℃ | Amorphous, no melting point, Tg about 185–190°C | Semi-crystalline, Tm 343℃, Tg 143℃ |
| HDT (1.82 MPa) | Approximately 198–210°C | About 174°C | Pure resin about 152°C, after reinforcement 260°C |
| Tensile strength | 105–110 MPa | 70–75 MPa | 90–100 MPa |
| Inherently flame-retardant | Yes, UL94 V-0, LOI 47–49% | Flame retardant needs to be added | Yes (FST requires formula design) |
| Native Reference Price (2026) | Approximately 120,000–190,000 yuan/ton | About 50,000–60,000 yuan/ton | Approximately 500,000–880,000 yuan/ton |
| Representative brand | SABIC ULTEM (formerly GE) | Solvay Udel, BASF Ultrason S | Victrex, Evonik, Zhongyan Co., Ltd. |
| Typical Applications | Aerospace interiors, medical sterilization, connectors, semiconductor test sockets | Water utensils, food processing, medical devices | Aerospace structural parts, bearings, implants, semiconductors |
6.4 Policies and Regulations
Aviation: FAR 25.853 (cabin material combustion/smoke density/toxicity), OSU 65/65 (or 55/55) heat release, PEI naturally compliant, no halogenated flame retardants needed. Medical: ISO 10993 biocompatibility, USP Class VI, ISO 13485, the HU series is dedicated medical grade. Food contact: 21 CFR 177.1595 (PEI specific FDA clause, note it is not 177.1500 — the latter is for nylon resin). Electronics and electrical: UL94 V-0, RoHS, REACH. EU general framework: ELV vehicle end-of-life directive, WEEE, recycled content claims require third-party verification. Recycled material import: China has fully banned waste plastic imports since 2021, recycled pellets require polymer purity ≥99.5%, mainly single resin, CCIC pre-shipment inspection, solid waste identification report, black recycled material is easily classified as waste and needs to be sampled in advance.
6.5 Emission Reduction Data
The specific carbon reduction percentage for PEI's 'recycled vs. virgin' material has not been found in authoritative public sources. This report honestly notes that there is no PEI-specific LCA data and it needs to be verified. What can be referenced are benchmark levels in the engineering plastics industry (not PEI-specific and the scope must be indicated): mechanical recycling eliminates the monomer synthesis step, which generally results in significant energy savings compared to virgin polymerization; SABIC has launched ISCC PLUS mass balance/biobased ULTEM (Renewable) grades, and third-party LCA values need to be verified for each grade.
6.6 Southeast Asia Import Channels and Material Source Background
Tariff Path: Under RCEP, Vietnam/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia exports of recycled plastic pellets to China can enjoy zero tariffs with Form R (RCEP Certificate of Origin) or China-ASEAN Form E, while a 13% VAT is still applied. Regional Industry Logic: Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia are absorbing a large transfer of electronics, automotive, and aviation interior manufacturing capacity. The resulting PEI scrap material (PIR) is sorted and pelletized by local Chinese-invested recycling plants before flowing back to China, with the Yuyao–Cixi distribution market being the main inland hub.
Signals of policy tightening: Vietnam will completely ban the import of waste plastics starting in 2025, only allowing high-purity pellets with ≥99.5% purity; Thailand will ban the import of plastic waste from January 2025 (only factories in duty-free zones can import within their production capacity). Local production in Southeast Asia is shifting from 'waste sorting' to 'high-purity pelletizing,' and the import supply structure of rPEI is becoming tighter.
Data Availability Statement: PEI-specific trade data under HS code 3907.99 is not disclosed separately, and there are no publicly available PEI-specific trade statistics; the sources of specialized PEI in Southeast Asia are mainly qualitative, and the exclusive trade volume needs to be verified.
7 Article Writing Entry Suggestions
① 'What is Recycled PEI? PEI = Polyetherimide, No Melting Point, Tg 217℃, PIR/PCR Explained in One Article' — Starting from section 1.1, discussing the definition, SABIC ULTEM original GE system, amorphous no melting point/Tg 217℃/density 1.27/inherently V-0, sources of PIR and PCR.
② "PEI, PEEK, PSU Stop Getting Confused: A Table Clearly Shows Which is More Heat-Resistant and Which is More Expensive" — Refer to entry 1.3 and Table 12, discussing PEI as the cost-performance anchor: higher heat resistance than PSU, much lower price than PEEK, distinguishing criterion of no melting point vs Tm343℃.
③ 'Application Landscape of Recycled PEI: An Overview of Four Major Scenarios in Aviation, Medical, Electronics, Automotive, and Food' — Refer to Tables 1–4, discussing material selection characteristics and thresholds by industry (FAR25.853/ISO10993/UL94/FDA177.1595), explaining the boundary for the use of recycled materials.
④"How to Choose the Grade of Recycled PEI? GB/T 40006.1 General Rules, Purity, Usage, Modification, and ULTEM Grades Explained Once" — starts with an overview of Table 5, covers the current national standard situation (no specific PEI standard, follows .1 general rules), purity grades, injection molding/extrusion/3D printing, pure resin/GF reinforced/conductive/wear-resistant, and grades 1000/1010/2210/9085/HU.
⑤ 'How Much Worse Is Recycled PEI? Comparison of Typical Values of Virgin ULTEM 1000 vs Recycled MFR 9→20' — Focus on Tables 6/7/8/9, use the data to answer 'Can recycled material replace virgin?' Discuss chain scission mechanism, tensile retention, impact reduction, and glass fiber regression.
⑥ "Where do the recycled PEI priced from 22,000 to 38,000 yuan/ton come from? 5 quotes, color economics, Southeast Asia channel qualitative analysis" — start with Table 10 color system, Table 11 quotes (120 tons, black reinforced 20% rated level three reason), Section 6.6 Southeast Asia RCEP zero-tariff channel.
8 References
[1] Material properties and grades: SABIC Material Finder / ULTEM datasheet (amorphous with no melting point, Tg 217℃, HDT 198–210℃, tensile strength 105–110 MPa, density 1.27, inherently UL94 V-0, LOI 47–49%, MFR 337℃/6.6 kgf = 9, processing 350–410℃).
[2] Current national standard status: GB/T 40006.1-2021 'Plastics — Recycled Plastics — Part 1: General Principles'; as of September 2026, no GB/T 40006 PEI specific volume has been seen (report scope to be verified).
[3] Applications and thresholds: FAR 25.853 OSU flammability, ISO 10993 USP Class VI, UL94 V-0, 21 CFR 177.1595 (PEI-specific FDA provisions; 177.1500 is for nylon, now corrected) — SABIC HU series, Ready Plastics, etc.
[4] Changes in recyclability: Commercial rPEI samples’ MFR increased from 9 to about 20 g/10min, tensile strength around 100 MPa, impact strength decreased, yellowing; after 3–5 cycles, tensile retention about 80% — zanpolymer samples and industry data (partly based on industry convention).
[5] 2026-09-11 first-hand quotation sheet (5 PEI item details, total purchasable quantity 120 tons; black reinforced 20% rated as Grade 3, reason: mechanical degradation due to glass fiber recycling fiber breakage).
[6] Market and capacity: Global PEI market around USD 400 million–700 million, SABIC’s share about 20%–40%; Kingfa Technology to start kiloton-scale PEI pilot production by December 2025 — significant differences exist in third-party data, report figures subject to verification.
[7] Price: Virgin ULTEM 1000/1010 approximately 120,000–190,000 CNY/ton, recycled rPEI about 22,000–38,000 CNY/ton, price difference 4–6 times (Gade Chemical / channel spot and this quotation sheet).
[8] Policies and regulations: FAR 25.853, ISO 10993, 21 CFR 177.1595, RoHS/REACH, EU ELV/WEEE; imported recycled pellets purity ≥99.5%, CCIC pre-shipment inspection (information from customs brokers’ public data).
[9] Emission reduction: No authoritative public LCA value specifically for PEI, this report labels honestly; engineering plastics industry benchmark levels and SABIC ISCC PLUS bio-based ULTEM can be referenced (not PEI-specific LCA, clarify source).
[10] Southeast Asia channels: RCEP Form R / ASEAN Form E zero tariffs, 13% VAT; Vietnam/Thailand/Malaysia electronic and aerospace PIR scrap going through Chinese-owned factory granulation for return; under HS 3907.99 no specific PEI trade statistics, Southeast Asian sources for specialty PEI are mainly qualitative, to be verified.
