#South Korea #circular economy #Ulsan #SK Chemicals #Waste Recycling

SK Chemicals Empowers Sustainable Solutions in Waste Management

In an inspiring move towards environmental sustainability, SK Chemicals has announced a groundbreaking collaboration with South Korea's Ministry of the Interior and Safety, along with five municipal governments: Sejong, Gangneung, Cheongju, Naju, and Changwon. This partnership aims to establish a pioneering model for recycling discarded banners, a major contributor to waste generation in the region.

The collaboration, formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on June 5, 2025, is a commitment towards creating a more sustainable future through effective waste management practices. Under this initiative, a comprehensive circular system will be implemented to collect discarded banners, refine them into raw materials using advanced chemical technology, and ultimately recycle them into new products.

Currently, the recycling rate for these banners is painfully low, with only about 30% being recycled, as the remaining 70% are either incinerated or end up in landfills. This project is set to change the narrative. By fully molecularly decomposing collected discarded banners, SK Chemicals is set to produce recycled PET materials. These materials will initially be utilized in the production of electrical and electronic products, with plans for large-scale manufacturing of recycled materials by the end of this year.

A Collaborative Effort for Mutual Growth

The Ministry of the Interior and Safety will aid in harmonizing efforts between local governments and businesses, ensuring a steady supply of discarded banners from participating municipalities. These five regions will actively promote the use of products crafted from recycled materials, thereby fostering a sustainable market.

The raw materials derived from recycled banners will not just be utilized by SK Chemicals. Companies like REVELOP and Kakao are onboard, transforming these materials into a variety of consumer goods, including clothing and new banners, set to hit the market soon. Furthermore, Sejinplus is committed to recycling discarded banners for use in automotive interiors and construction materials, showcasing the versatility of the recyclable materials.

Breaking Barriers in Recycling

Despite previous individual attempts to recycle banners, many efforts have been short-lived and often resulted in products that eventually ended up in incineration or landfills, showcasing the need for a more effective system. SK Chemicals is changing this paradigm with its chemical recycling method that allows raw materials like PET to maintain their quality for repeated recycling. This initiative supports the establishment of a