"Collaboration with Hyundai Motor Research Center... Considering Expansion to Genesis and Other Models"
SK "40% Greenhouse Gas Reduction... Eco-Friendly Certifications from US Department of Agriculture and Others"
Artificial leather seats of Hyundai GV60 applied with SK Chemicals' bio polyol Ecotree. (Photo by Genesis website)
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] SK Chemicals is mass-producing the eco-friendly bio polyol 'PO3G' (polyoxytetramethylene ether glycol). Bio polyol is a raw material that can be processed into synthetic leather, and synthetic leather made with SK Chemicals' bio polyol is applied to seats of Hyundai Motor's Genesis.
On the 2nd, SK Chemicals announced that it has established a mass production system for PO3G on the scale of several thousand tons and started operating dedicated facilities. The brand name of the material is 'Ecotrion.' SK Chemicals plans to expand its business in the bio-material sector starting with the operation of the first PO3G plant completed this time.
Polyol is a type of alcohol and an essential raw material used in the manufacture of spandex, polyurethane (synthetic leather), and urethane elastic materials. Ecotrion is a 100% bio-based eco-friendly material made by fermentation from plants and can replace conventional petrochemical-based polyols. According to SK Chemicals, when Ecotrion is applied to textiles and synthetic leather, it offers a softer and more comfortable wearing experience compared to existing materials. The product also shows less deformation, thanks to improved elastic recovery and abrasion resistance. Additionally, according to the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% compared to the production process of conventional petrochemical-based polyols. As a result, it has received eco-friendly certifications from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Belgium's VINCOTTE.
SK Chemicals employees are taking a commemorative photo for the first shipment of Bio-Polyol Ecotrion. (Photo by SK Chemicals)
SK Chemicals stated that Hyundai Motor's Basic Materials Research Center is collaborating technologically with SK Chemicals as well as LX Hausys to develop eco-friendly synthetic leather. Through this collaboration, Hyundai Motor and Kia have applied synthetic leather seats using Ecotrion to the Genesis GV60 and are considering expanding its application to other vehicle models.
Jung Jaejun, Head of New Business Development at SK Chemicals, said, "The white bio industry is rapidly growing alongside domestic and international policies aimed at building a sustainable society through greenhouse gas reduction and environmental paradigm shifts via de-petroleumization. We plan to strengthen our green business system based on ESG management through the bio-material business we have prepared so far and respond to market demand while considering additional expansions."
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