Lee Sung-jun, Head of SK Innovation Environmental Science and Technology Institute, "Core Role in 'Net Zero' through R&D Management"

40th Anniversary of the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology
Efforts to Secure Technology for the 'Carbon to Green Strategy'

Lee Sung-jun, Head of SK Innovation's Environmental Science and Technology Institute, stated, "To support SK Innovation's 'All-Time Net Zero' strategy, we will play a key role centered on R&D management," adding, "We will quickly secure competitive technologies through continuous innovation in our working methods."

In a recent interview with SK Innovation's news channel SKinno News, Lee said, "The Environmental Science and Technology Institute (hereinafter referred to as the ‘Institute’) must play a crucial role in fulfilling the company's vision of All-Time Net Zero." The All-Time Net Zero strategy aims to offset all carbon emissions produced by the company since its founding by 2062, the 100th anniversary of SK Innovation.

Lee emphasized, "Although various technologies continue to emerge in the eco-friendly sector, their maturity levels are still low, so the key is who can complete and secure competitive technologies faster." He added, "We plan to discover promising external technologies and rapidly enhance technology maturity by combining them with the capabilities accumulated by the Institute." Securing technological competitiveness linked to the expansion of SK Innovation's business portfolio was identified as a key task.

Seongjun Lee, Head of Environmental Science and Technology Institute at SK Innovation
[Photo by SK Innovation]

He introduced recent achievements such as the development of used battery recycling technology. Lee said, "The used battery recycling technology, specifically the lithium hydroxide pre-recovery technology, aims for SK Innovation to be the first in the world to commercialize this technology, minimizing environmental impact and completing a stable supply chain of high-purity lithium within the global battery recycling system." He added, "We are also developing solutions utilizing battery material development and analysis/process capabilities, including high-performance separators, CNT conductive materials, next-generation anode materials, and flame-retardant electrolytes."

Lee revealed that they have secured scale-up demonstration of plastic pyrolysis oil post-processing technology, the first of its kind in Korea, as well as upcycling technology for used lubricants. He also mentioned research on a technology that removes carbon dioxide from exhaust gas by using sulfur, a byproduct of petrochemical processes, as energy, which has been published in leading international academic journals.

Based on these achievements and capabilities, the Institute is also conducting technology discovery activities targeting the global market. In November last year, the Institute established an ‘Open Innovation Post’ in Silicon Valley, USA, and is currently working to concretize cooperation with global companies and research institutions.

Sungjun Lee, Head of Environmental Science and Technology at SK Innovation (second from the left), is participating in a commemorative photo at the opening ceremony of the Open Innovation Post held last November at the headquarters of Silicon Foundry, a global innovation consulting firm in San Francisco, USA. Photo by SK Innovation

Lee introduced the 40-year history of SK Innovation's Environmental Science and Technology Institute, which originated in 1983 as the Technical Support Research Center, emphasizing the importance of technology-based R&D management by stating, "SK Innovation's growth into a world-leading energy and chemical company was due to R&D management that was ahead of anyone else."

Finally, he said, "As the head of the Environmental Science and Technology Institute, I feel a heavy responsibility and mission to develop technological solutions for carbon reduction," adding, "Carbon reduction and overcoming the climate crisis are the most urgent tasks that we all must address with responsibility."