SK Chemicals Launches 'Ecotria Claro 300' with Enhanced Recyclability

Suitable for Manufacturing Transparent Large-Capacity Containers
"EBM Market Sales Target: 30,000 Tons"

SK Chemicals has stepped up efforts to strengthen its lineup of sustainable packaging solutions.

On the 16th, SK Chemicals announced the launch of 'ECOTRIA CLARO 300,' a copolyester material that enhances recyclability and usability.

ECOTRIA CLARO 300 is a material that combines the inherent properties and recyclability of copolyester, such as transparency and chemical resistance, while also being suitable for extrusion blow molding. The company explained that it has a higher viscosity than existing copolyester products under high-temperature molding conditions, making it suitable for EBM molding.

Container made with SK Chemicals Ecotria Claro 300 material using EBM process.
[Photo by SK Chemicals]

The EBM method is a technique suitable for molding large-capacity containers, where heated extruded plastic tubes are inflated with air like blowing bubble gum to form the desired shape. This process requires a high-viscosity material that maintains its shape without melting during the high-temperature molding process.

Common transparent materials such as PET and copolyester have not met the heat resistance and viscosity requirements for high-temperature EBM molding, so opaque materials like polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) have mainly been used for large-capacity container materials. ECOTRIA CLARO 300, classified as PET and easy to recycle while being suitable for EBM molding, is expected by the company to rapidly replace the large-capacity container market that requires transparency.

SK Chemicals plans to target the large container market requiring transparency, such as large water bottles, juices, and beverages, and aims to expand copolyester sales in the EBM application market to about 30,000 tons.

Kim Eung-su, Head of SK Chemicals' Green Materials Business Division, said, "We will continue to develop technologies that can realize the physical properties and quality of materials required for injection molding techniques and various applications, thereby expanding the use of sustainable packaging materials."