Korean Air and Asiana Airlines Create Battery Pouches from Recycled Uniforms

Donated 30 Million Won Including All Proceeds from Sales

Korean Air announced on August 27 that, together with Asiana Airlines, it produced upcycled battery pouches and donated a total of 30 million won, including all proceeds from sales.

The two companies created a total of 1,000 battery pouches by upcycling discarded flight attendant uniforms and firefighter turnout gear, and held an in-house upcycling donation campaign for their employees. The pouches sold out within ten days. In addition to the 15 million won raised from pouch sales, Korean Air contributed an additional amount equal to the proceeds, bringing the total donation to 30 million won.

The battery pouches are notable for their excellent flame-retardant properties, as the inner lining is made from recycled firefighter turnout gear. In March, battery pouches made from firefighter suit material passed a thermal runaway test conducted by the Fire and Disaster Headquarters, confirming their safety as no flames leaked outside.

The donation was delivered to the Firefighter Family Hope Sharing Foundation, a non-profit organization under the National Fire Agency that provides psychological and financial support to the families and children of firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The donation ceremony was held the previous morning at Korean Air’s headquarters in Gangseo-gu, Seoul, and was attended by Ji Sanghwi, Chair of the Korean Air Social Service Committee, Jung Sungwon, Senior Director of Human Resources at Asiana Airlines, and Park Hyunsook, family representative of the Firefighter Family Hope Sharing Foundation, among other key officials.

A Korean Air representative stated, “This donation is especially meaningful because it not only raises awareness about the recent issues of carrying battery packs onboard, but also because employees from both companies directly participated in raising the donation funds.”