SK Chemicals Unveils 'Eum', Korea's First AI Platform for Recycled Plastics

"Connecting Container Manufacturers and Brands... Pursuing Mutual Growth"

Recyclable container kit made from SK Chemicals' Sustainable Package Solution (SPS) material. (Photo by SK Chemicals)

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] SK Chemicals is accelerating the expansion of the recycled plastic circular ecosystem. It has established 'Eum,' the first online platform in Korea that connects recycled producers, partners, and brands.

On the 18th, SK Chemicals announced that it had created Eum, a recycled plastic circular ecosystem business platform, for the first time in Korea. The goal is to achieve a 100% sales ratio of recycled products by 2030.

The core is to provide recycled material experience and AI-based digital marketing channel services to plastic industry stakeholders and brand owners. Brand owners refer to companies managing brands targeting general consumers. Eum will be first unveiled to industry stakeholders at 'Cosmo Beauty Seoul 2022,' held at COEX on the 26th, and then opened to the general public on the 30th. Eum means 'Green Solution Connecting the World.' It signifies connecting the plastic circular ecosystem, environment and technology, present and future through SK Chemicals' 'green materials.' After pioneering the cosmetic container market, the company plans to expand its business to various plastic product applications.

Through Eum, SK Chemicals plans to provide AI-based services free of charge to brand owners, plastic molding companies, and partners within the cosmetic container market. Brand owners considering the use of recycled materials will receive a material experience kit made from SK Chemicals' 'Sustainable Packaging Solution (SPS)' materials. This allows them to physically use the materials and choose cosmetic containers via an AI image search service. Information on molding companies necessary for product manufacturing is also provided. For plastic molding companies, support is offered for mold production used to make containers with SPS materials. The mold designs are registered on Eum to help molding companies secure clients. Other partners will receive market information such as certification and regulatory data, new technologies, and product trends.

SK Chemicals' SPS is a core material connecting the plastic circular ecosystem. It consists of materials using recycled raw materials and recyclable materials. Specifically, it includes a 'green packaging' lineup such as copolyester 'Ecotria CR' and PET 'SkyPET CR' using chemically recycled raw materials; copolyester 'Ecotria R' and PET 'SkyPET MR' using physically recycled raw materials; and 'Claro,' a recyclable PET product. These are industry-leading standards. Jeong Jaejun, Head of New Business Development at SK Chemicals, said, "To build a plastic circular ecosystem, it is necessary to create an environment where industry stakeholders can grow together through various technologies and information disclosure. We plan to further strengthen the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) business system by expanding the recycled plastic ecosystem centered on Eum, adding services such as recycled raw material trading."

SK Chemicals has been recruiting consumers for the Eum platform for three months. About 20 molding companies and stakeholders will use the services as soon as the Eum platform is launched. The company has completed patent applications related to the services provided by the Eum platform and will continue to advance the platform to increase participation from plastic industry stakeholders.