SK Chemicals to Showcase Innovative Sustainable Material Solutions at CHINAPLAS 2025
In an exciting development for the plastic industry, SK Chemicals is set to make its mark at CHINAPLAS 2025, a prominent gathering that ranks among the world's top three exhibitions dedicated to plastic innovation. This event, taking place from April 15 to 17 at the Shenzhen World Convention and Exhibition Center in Guangdong Province, China, is anticipated to showcase the latest advancements in plastic technology from over 4,000 companies across around 150 countries.
This year, the exhibition will focus on three principle themes: Transformation, Collaboration, and Sustainability. SK Chemicals, under the leadership of CEO Ahn Jae-hyun, has announced that it will emphasize its cutting-edge technological capabilities while presenting commercially viable products along with proven solutions for sustainable material management.
SK Chemicals aims to shift away from merely discussing future plans or technologies still in development. Instead, it will highlight its already available offerings, particularly in the realm of chemically recycled materials, which includes groundbreaking innovations in sustainable practices that can be applied immediately. Among these initiatives is the introduction of cutting-edge materials developed through its depolymerization technology.
One of the standout products expected to draw attention at the exhibition is CLARO, a copolyester made from post-consumer PET, which has already found application in makeup and skincare products from industry giants such as L'Oréal and Estée Lauder. Another exciting product is SKYPET CR, a material that has been utilized in the eco-friendly packaging of Samdasoo bottled water and vinyl records produced by Coldplay, showcasing both innovative design and environmental responsibility.
Moreover, SK Chemicals is set to showcase ECOTRIA CR, a circular copolyester currently employed in various indoor tile applications by CS Group. The company will also exhibit popular consumer items encompassing its flagship materials, including ECOZEN, a highly heat-resistant biobased copolyester that is used in diverse kitchenware, food storage containers, baby utensils, and sports bottles. Another notable mention will be SKYGREEN, which is a high-performance PETG suited for cosmetic packaging and ice beverage cups, recognized for its exceptional clarity and durability.
Additionally, SK Chemicals will present ECOTRION, a 100% plant-based bio-polyol integrated into spandex, synthetic leathers, and urethane elastomers. Also included in the display will be SKYPEL, a polyester-based elastomer combining rubber-like and technical plastic properties, utilized in automotive components, industrial hoses, underwater cables, and breathable films.
Ahn Jae-hyun expressed the company's commitment to establishing a sustainable plastic ecosystem where plastics are recycled back into new products as an immediate goal rather than a distant aspiration. He emphasized, "We will continue to make successful applications by partnering closely with leading companies across various sectors and actively promoting our unique products and technologies, including circular recycling solutions."
The foundation of SK Chemicals' circular recycling approach is based on depolymerization technology, which breaks down plastic waste at the molecular level for reuse as raw materials. Unlike mechanical recycling methods, this innovative process preserves the characteristics and qualities (such as transparency) similar to petroleum-based materials while providing the added benefit of being recyclable multiple times. This technology is capable of handling a wide variety of plastic waste—beyond just the clear bottles typically used as recycling feedstock, it can also recycle colored containers, films, and trays, demonstrating its versatility and efficiency.
With its pioneering global initiatives in depolymerization technology, SK Chemicals has developed a broad array of recycled materials ranging from general-use PET to high-performance copolyesters like PETG. The company's participation in CHINAPLAS 2025 marks a significant step towards demonstrating the feasibility of sustainable materials and solutions in today's market, reinforcing its position at the forefront of the evolving plastic industry landscape.