SK Chemicals Enhances Its Market Presence in Cosmetics Packaging with Circular Materials at China Beauty Expo 2025

SK Chemicals Strengthens Its Position in Cosmetics Packaging

In a significant move toward sustainability, SK Chemicals has showcased its innovative circular recycled materials for cosmetics packaging during the China Beauty Expo 2025, held from May 12 to 14 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center (SNIEC). The event, celebrating its 29th anniversary, is recognized as Asia's largest beauty fair, attracting over 400,000 visitors from more than 80 countries.

This year, the expo brought together global cosmetics brands and supply chain players—from R&D and manufacturing to packaging and logistics—featuring over 3,200 exhibitors and more than 10,000 brands. The company's strategy emphasizes providing commercially viable circular materials designed explicitly for cosmetics containers.

Under the theme "On-Hand Solution for a Sustainable Future," SK Chemicals presented a range of high-quality skincare products developed in collaboration with leading cosmetics firms. These offerings include items crafted from recycled materials, ensuring they can be more easily recycled after use. Notable exhibits featured bottles for skin lotions, cream jars, compacts, and various cosmetic closures made from ECOTRIA CLARO, a copolyester designed to be sorted and recycled within the PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) stream.

Furthermore, SK Chemicals introduced CLARO-CR70, a material that matches the performance of its predecessor, now enhanced with post-consumer recycled content. This high-performance copolyester incorporates up to 70% PCR (Post-Consumer Recycling) shares, significantly contributing to a circular recycling system for plastic packaging. This not only aligns with environmental goals but also offers superior transparency, making it ideal for premium packaging applications where clarity is crucial.

In addition to these materials, SK Chemicals spotlighted another sustainable option tailored for beauty applications, SKYPET CR, a circular PET suitable for high-volume personal care packaging, and ECOTRION, a 100% bio-based polyol derived from plants, usable in puffs and faux leather accessories.

Kim Eung-soo, Head of the Green Materials Business Division at SK Chemicals, highlighted the pressing issue of cosmetic waste, noting that nearly 60,000 tons of cosmetic containers are discarded each year, with about 90% failing to get recycled due to challenges in separating mixed materials. The company aims to utilize its depolymerization-based circular recycling technologies to collaborate with partners in creating a sustainable ecosystem for closed-loop cosmetic packaging.

Previously, in October 2024, SK Chemicals took a step further in partnership with the global luxury packaging company Toly, introducing cosmetics containers made from CLARO-CR70. They have since expanded their commitment to sustainability by signing MOUs with major brands, including Estée Lauder, Yonwoo (a subsidiary of Kolmar Korea), and leading ODM COSMAX, focusing on developing sustainable plastic containers for the cosmetics industry.

This strong presence at the China Beauty Expo emphasizes SK Chemicals' dedication to pushing the boundaries in sustainability within cosmetics packaging. The growing engagement with international cosmetics brands to adopt these innovative materials will likely resonate across the industry, facilitating a shift toward greener practices in product packaging.