SK Chemicals Partners with Durmont to Revolutionize Sustainable Material Supply for Global Automotive Brands
In a significant move towards promoting sustainability in the European automotive sector, SK Chemicals has recently entered an exclusive partnership with Durmont, an Austrian manufacturer renowned for producing automotive carpets. This partnership signifies a key step in supplying durable and recycled materials to various global automotive brands, aiming to enhance environmental responsibility within the industry.
The formal signing of this partnership took place on June 23, 2025, at the SK Chemicals headquarters known as ECOLAB in South Korea. President Ahn Jae-hyun of SK Chemicals, CEO Josef Zettl from Durmont, and CEO Lee Dong-seop of Paarang, a logistics partner involved in this collaboration, commemorated this significant agreement with a photo opportunity. This partnership is poised to leverage each company’s strengths to provide high-quality recycled materials, specifically the SKYPET CR, to automotive companies.
Durmont is a prolific entity, producing rolls of carpets for around 7 million vehicles annually. In 2023, the company was acquired by the Dutch group Visscher-Caravelle, a leading provider of automotive floor mats and accessories, controlling over 40% of the European market. This strategic acquisition enhances Durmont's capabilities and aligns perfectly with SK Chemicals' vision of sustainability. With their combined expertise, the partnership aims to address the growing demand for circularity and recycling in the automotive industry.
As part of this collaboration, SK Chemicals will supply Durmont with its cutting-edge material — the SKYPET CR. This innovative substance is composed entirely of recycled content, and it has been certified under the ISCC PLUS program, making it fully recyclable. The introduction of SKYPET CR into automotive carpet production not only supports recycling practices but also complies with local regulations regarding vehicle circularity.
The SKYPET CR is a breakthrough derived from SK Chemicals’ unique chemical recycling technology, designed specifically to maintain high quality through multiple recycling cycles. Unlike conventional recycling methods, SKYPET CR retains a quality akin to virgin petrochemical products, making it an ideal choice for closed-loop systems in the automotive sector. The application of this material facilitates the depolymerization of automotive carpets upon end-of-life, thereby adhering to the industry’s push towards sustainable practices and compliance with the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) directive.
SK Chemicals plans to deepen its collaboration with Durmont and Visscher-Caravelle while also expanding partnerships with additional global automotive brands to develop further products and applications. President Ahn Jae-hyun expressed optimism regarding broader adoption of these sustainable materials in Europe, particularly with the increasing interest in carbon neutrality and the regulatory landscape surrounding vehicle recycling.
In addition to this partnership venture, SK Chemicals has recently made substantial investments toward establishing SK Shantou, which houses the first commercial facility for chemical recycling of raw materials in South Korea, reflecting their commitment to pioneering sustainable practices in the industry. Moreover, they have enhanced their recycling infrastructure by launching the Recycling Innovation Center in Ulsan, complete with pilot-scale depolymerization units dedicated to producing recycled input materials.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards sustainable practices, partnerships like that of SK Chemicals and Durmont will be critical in advancing the usage of eco-friendly materials. By bridging innovation with sustainability, these companies aim to lead a transformation in the automotive sector, setting a precedent for future endeavors in material recycling and environmental stewardship.
The formal signing of this partnership took place on June 23, 2025, at the SK Chemicals headquarters known as ECOLAB in South Korea. President Ahn Jae-hyun of SK Chemicals, CEO Josef Zettl from Durmont, and CEO Lee Dong-seop of Paarang, a logistics partner involved in this collaboration, commemorated this significant agreement with a photo opportunity. This partnership is poised to leverage each company’s strengths to provide high-quality recycled materials, specifically the SKYPET CR, to automotive companies.
Durmont is a prolific entity, producing rolls of carpets for around 7 million vehicles annually. In 2023, the company was acquired by the Dutch group Visscher-Caravelle, a leading provider of automotive floor mats and accessories, controlling over 40% of the European market. This strategic acquisition enhances Durmont's capabilities and aligns perfectly with SK Chemicals' vision of sustainability. With their combined expertise, the partnership aims to address the growing demand for circularity and recycling in the automotive industry.
As part of this collaboration, SK Chemicals will supply Durmont with its cutting-edge material — the SKYPET CR. This innovative substance is composed entirely of recycled content, and it has been certified under the ISCC PLUS program, making it fully recyclable. The introduction of SKYPET CR into automotive carpet production not only supports recycling practices but also complies with local regulations regarding vehicle circularity.
The SKYPET CR is a breakthrough derived from SK Chemicals’ unique chemical recycling technology, designed specifically to maintain high quality through multiple recycling cycles. Unlike conventional recycling methods, SKYPET CR retains a quality akin to virgin petrochemical products, making it an ideal choice for closed-loop systems in the automotive sector. The application of this material facilitates the depolymerization of automotive carpets upon end-of-life, thereby adhering to the industry’s push towards sustainable practices and compliance with the End-of-Life Vehicles (ELV) directive.
SK Chemicals plans to deepen its collaboration with Durmont and Visscher-Caravelle while also expanding partnerships with additional global automotive brands to develop further products and applications. President Ahn Jae-hyun expressed optimism regarding broader adoption of these sustainable materials in Europe, particularly with the increasing interest in carbon neutrality and the regulatory landscape surrounding vehicle recycling.
In addition to this partnership venture, SK Chemicals has recently made substantial investments toward establishing SK Shantou, which houses the first commercial facility for chemical recycling of raw materials in South Korea, reflecting their commitment to pioneering sustainable practices in the industry. Moreover, they have enhanced their recycling infrastructure by launching the Recycling Innovation Center in Ulsan, complete with pilot-scale depolymerization units dedicated to producing recycled input materials.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve towards sustainable practices, partnerships like that of SK Chemicals and Durmont will be critical in advancing the usage of eco-friendly materials. By bridging innovation with sustainability, these companies aim to lead a transformation in the automotive sector, setting a precedent for future endeavors in material recycling and environmental stewardship.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
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