SK Geocentric Obtains Eco-Friendly International Recycling Standard Certification 'GRS'

Utilization of Plastic Recycled Materials
Polymer Production and Eco-friendly Certification

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] SK Geocentric announced on the 31st that it has obtained the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification, an international eco-friendly recycling standard, from Control Union, a global eco-friendly certification body.

SK Geocentric received GRS certification for polymers made using recycled raw materials. Generally, polymers are made using naphtha, but SK Geocentric also produces polymers recycled from waste plastics. Polymers are used to manufacture various plastic products such as vinyl, packaging containers, home appliances, and automotive products.

Control Union, headquartered in the Netherlands, grants the 'GRS' certification to products containing more than 20% recycled raw materials and whose actual usage history is traceable. This is a credible certification system that checks not only the recycled raw material content but also compliance with social, environmental, and chemical standards.

Some global consumer goods companies present GRS certification as a trading standard, and with this certification, SK Geocentric’s polymers meet global standards that enhance eco-friendliness, raising expectations for future export expansion.

'Daily Kitchen Towel' product using packaging made from recycled raw materials certified by GRS [Photo by SK Geocentric]

As interest in recycled eco-friendly packaging materials increases domestically, SK Geocentric has been steadily collaborating with domestic companies. SPC Pack, a packaging production company of the SPC Group, is producing packaging materials such as household goods using GRS-certified polymers in partnership with SK Geocentric. This is the first case where all companies involved?from supplying recycled raw materials (SK Geocentric) to processing and production (SPC Pack)?have obtained GRS certification.

The packaging material has been applied to the ‘Daily Kitchen Towel’ product made by Clean Nara, a comprehensive paper company. The proportion of recycled raw materials in the packaging is planned to increase from the current 20% to up to 50% within the year. When recycled raw materials exceed 50%, the final product can also display the GRS certification mark. Through collaboration, SK Geocentric and two other companies plan to expand eco-friendly packaging applied products to seven in the future.

Choi Woo-hyuk, Head of the Solution Business Division at SK Geocentric, said, “We are pleased that the GRS certification for polymer products using recycled raw materials from waste plastics recognizes the excellence of products that reduce plastic usage. We will increase production and export of polymer products applied to household goods, home appliances, and automotive materials, strengthen our capabilities in developing eco-friendly packaging materials, and expand the range of product applications.”