Waste Plastic Pyrolysis Facility in Yugueup, Gongju: "No Dioxin Emissions"

Chungnam Enterprise Promises Advanced Safety Facilities and Environmental Measures
Residents Demand "Withdraw If Emissions Exceed Permitted Levels"

On August 11, Chungnam Enterprise, the operator of the planned 'waste plastic pyrolysis oil facility' in Nokcheon-ri, Yugueup, Gongju, Chungcheongnam-do, held a community briefing at the Yugueup Administrative Welfare Center, emphasizing safety and environmental measures.

Approximately 60 residents attended the briefing. Chungnam Enterprise explained that the project is a resource-circulation business that converts waste plastic into fuel oil through a pyrolysis process involving high-temperature heating, allowing the oil to be recycled as industrial boiler fuel, marine fuel, and petrochemical feedstock.

Experts including Yoon Jinhan, Director at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials, Kim Kyungho, Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, and Kim Gukwon, Professor of Fire Safety at Kyonggi University, stated, "By applying an advanced 'continuous multi-stage melting-type heating system,' no dioxins are emitted, and VOCs are virtually undetectable."

Residents asked whether it would be possible to completely block harmful substances and whether the company would commit to halting operations and withdrawing if emissions exceed permitted levels.

Park Jongrok, CEO of Chungnam Enterprise, responded, "We will implement top-level environmental facilities and strict operational responsibility, and emissions will be purified to standards stricter than those set by the Ministry of Environment through filtration, dust collection, and absorption systems." He also pledged to prioritize local hiring and contribute to revitalizing the regional economy.

Meanwhile, prior to the briefing, some opposing residents questioned the credibility of the documentation, refused to listen, and left the venue in protest.