SK Chemical Recognized for Excellence in Circular Recycling Technology in Europe

SK Chemicals introduced its circular recycling technology using chemical recycling methods in Europe.

On the 22nd (local time), SK Chemicals announced on the 29th that it participated as a presenter at the 'Plastic Industry & Environment Congress 2024' held in Douai, France. This congress, organized annually by the French Plastics Federation (SFIP), is a meeting where plastic material producers, plastic manufacturers, recyclers, and users gather to discuss solutions for building a circular economy.

SK Chemicals participated as a presenter at the "Plastics and Environment Summit 2024" held in Douai, France, on the 22nd (local time). David Almond of SK Chemicals Europe conducted the presentation. (Photo by SK Chemicals)

This year, global chemical industry leaders such as Eastman and SABIC, along with SK Chemicals, also attended and presented their technologies. This was the first time SK Chemicals participated as a presenter at the French Plastics Federation event.

SK Chemicals presented on the excellence of circular recycling together with its European partner Albis. Circular recycling is SK Chemicals' chemical recycling method. Unlike physical recycling, which involves shredding and washing waste plastics to reuse them as raw materials, chemical recycling breaks down plastics to the molecular level chemically and then reuses them as raw materials. This allows infinite recycling without quality degradation such as loss of transparency.

In March last year, SK Chemicals acquired chemical recycling raw materials and chemical recycling PET business assets from Shuye, a Chinese green materials specialist, for 130 billion KRW and established SK Santow. This secured the world's first commercialized polyester chemical recycling raw materials and production facilities.

In this presentation, SK Chemicals also introduced its material portfolio, which combines the experience of building commercial facilities and applying circular recycling technology.

Kim Eung-su, Head of the Green Materials Business Division at SK Chemicals, said, "Global brand owners are sending love calls to use circular recycling materials," adding, "Beyond actively promoting and providing recycling solutions, we plan to develop customized eco-friendly products together with our clients."