[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] SK Chemicals announced on the 13th that it has selected its researchers who contributed to securing eco-friendly bio-plastic technology with innovative ideas as the '2021 SK Chemicals Researcher of the Year.'
The winner of the '2021 Researcher of the Year' award is researcher Han Ye-ji, who developed a highly flexible biodegradable plastic PLA (polylactic acid) that is molded into film and does not tear easily during use. She was highly recognized for her contribution to developing biodegradable plastics targeting the rapidly growing eco-friendly plastic market.
Researcher Han developed a PLA composition with high flexibility and biodegradability using the company's eco-friendly bio polyol (PO3G, polyoxytetramethylene glycol). PLA is a representative biodegradable plastic that completely decomposes within months under certain conditions by microorganisms such as bacteria or fungi after use, making it an eco-friendly material. However, it has the drawback of being hard and prone to breaking or tearing during processing. Currently, biodegradable materials mixing PLA with highly flexible PBAT are used to compensate for these drawbacks, but they suffer from reduced transparency and require additional mixing processes.
The newly developed highly flexible PLA not only has superior flexibility and processability compared to regular PLA but also features high bio-content and transparency unlike PLA/PBAT materials. It is produced as a raw material without additional processes such as compounding, making it suitable for film packaging applications like volume-based waste bags, shopping bags, and zipper bags.
Since 2018, SK Chemicals has been awarding individual researchers by evaluating five criteria?creativity, difficulty, impact, completeness, and passion?of R&D projects, unlike the existing 'SUPEX Pursuit Award.' Following the 2020 project 'Development of PO3G Manufacturing Technology,' bio-material research projects have won the Researcher of the Year award for two consecutive years.
SK Chemicals' PO3G is a new material that replaces conventional petroleum-based polyols with bio-based materials. Polyols are one of the key raw materials for polyurethane materials used in synthetic leather, clothing, coatings and adhesives, and spandex. PO3G is a 100% bio-material made from corn that can replace existing petroleum-based polyols. SK Chemicals completed the construction of the bio-polyol (PO3G) production facility in December and plans to start commercial production in the first quarter of next year.
Meanwhile, SK Chemicals has expanded its product lineup applying 'chemical recycling' technology in preparation for the expansion of the eco-friendly plastics market. The company plans to strengthen its ESG management system by innovating its business portfolio centered on eco-friendly plastics such as recycled products and bio-polymers.
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