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SK Chemicals Sets Up a Revolutionary Recycling Innovation Center in Korea

SK Chemicals is pioneering an ambitious initiative to combat plastic waste by establishing a comprehensive Recycle Innovation Center (RIC) at its Ulsan plant in South Korea. Announced on February 18, 2025, this facility aims to enhance the company’s capabilities in producing circular recyclable raw materials and conducting vital research.

A Step Forward in Recycling Technology

As the first company globally to achieve mass production of chemically recycled materials, SK Chemicals is raising the bar for plastic waste management. The new RIC will feature pilot facilities dedicated to the chemical decomposition of waste plastics. This initiative is designed to produce recycled BHET (r-BHET), which will be integral to their existing copolyester production facilities.

This facility is set to address the challenges faced in recycling complex plastic waste forms, such as fibers, films, and automotive parts—areas that traditional recycling methods struggle to process. With a focus on textiles, traditionally a challenging sector due to the variety of materials blended in a single product, SK Chemicals aims to find viable recycling solutions. The RIC is expected to commence operations in 2026, with an annual capacity of 50 tons.

Integrated Research and Production System

The establishment of the RIC is not just about recycling; it’s about fostering an integrated system. By merging various processes—from depolymerization to mass production—SK Chemicals aims to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. Essential steps in this cycle include:
1. Collection and Crushing: Gathering waste and preparing it for processing.
2. Cleaning and Depolymerization: Breaking down plastics at the molecular level to recover pure raw materials.
3. Polymerization: Creating new plastics that are chemically identical to those derived from petroleum.

This holistic approach will allow the company to create recycled raw materials, demonstrating its commitment to reducing plastic pollution and creating a closed-loop system for plastic products.

Meeting Industry Needs

The innovation center is designed with the understanding that different industries—such as automotive, electronics, and fashion—have unique requirements for waste plastic recycling. SK Chemicals has emphasized the importance of developing tailored solutions that can effectively address the diverse needs of these sectors. By leveraging their foundational technologies, the company aims to accelerate the validation of recycling processes, ensuring quicker and more flexible responses to specific industry challenges.

The Vision of Closed Loop Solutions

SK Chemicals’ vision is to create a closed-loop system where plastics that would typically end up in landfills are collected, processed, and transformed back into high-quality raw materials. This not only has the potential to reduce landfill waste significantly but also helps in producing new products akin to their conventional counterparts.

In the current landscape, recycled plastics from waste PET bottles are often converted into lower-quality fibers, which may ultimately be incinerated or landfilled. By implementing depolymerization technology, SK Chemicals aims to disrupt this cycle and enable a sustainable future where products can be infinitely recycled back into similar applications.

Conclusion

Ahn Jae-hyun, the CEO of SK Chemicals, encapsulated the company's drive by asserting that the RIC will be a pivotal point in advancing the circularity of plastics within various industries. Collaborating closely with sectors like food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and fashion, SK Chemicals is positioned to develop comprehensive recycling systems that not only mitigate environmental impact but also enhance resource efficiency. With this groundbreaking initiative, SK Chemicals is set to lead the charge toward a sustainable and circular plastic economy in South Korea and beyond.