SK Chemical Completes Study Car with Hyundai and Kia Using Recycling Technology

Securing Technology from Vehicle Disposal Collection to Recycling

SK Chemicals announced on the 11th that it applied six types of automotive parts made from circular recycling and bio-based materials to the Kia EV3 study car in collaboration with Hyundai Motor·Kia AVP Headquarters Basic Materials Research Center.

The EV3 study car is a model that experiments with the possibility of applying eco-friendly materials by recycling discarded resources or using bio-based materials. It was unveiled at the Hyundai Motor·Kia study car exhibition on the 13th of last month. Various material and parts companies, including SK Chemicals, participated in this project.

SK Chemicals applied six types of automotive parts made from circular recycling and bio-based materials to the Kia EV3 study car in collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia AVP Headquarters Basic Materials Research Center. (Provided by SK Chemicals)

SK Chemicals manufactured the headliner, seats, crash pad, door panels, and door armrests using circular recycled plastics made from waste plastics. Additionally, SK Chemicals applied its new polyester soft material 'FLEXIA' to the floor mats to facilitate recycling.

Circular recycling uses SK Chemicals' chemical recycling technology, employing a method called depolymerization that breaks down waste plastics at the molecular level. Depolymerization is a technology that can produce products of almost the same quality as new petroleum-based products, and SK Chemicals succeeded in commercializing it for the first time in the world in 2023.

Chemically recycled PET materials were also applied to the study car's textile product group. Existing physically recycled PET materials had limitations in yarn production, color realization, and durability maintenance when used in textiles, making them difficult to use for automotive applications.

SK Chemicals and Hyundai Motor·Kia collaborated for 14 months to implement conditions matching the physical properties required for each part using circular recycling technology, achieving commercial-grade quality.

Both companies evaluated this project as laying the foundation for a new model to establish a circular economy system in the automotive industry.

Kang Seok-ho, Head of SK Chemicals' Recycle Operations Office, said, "We will strengthen cooperation with automakers and parts and materials companies and expand the application of circular recycling technology not only in packaging but also in industries such as clothing and electronics as a leader in the recycling industry."