#Sustainability #South Korea #Ulsan #SK Chemicals #Waste Recycling

SK Chemicals Partners with Government for Waste Recycling

In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at enhancing sustainability, SK Chemicals has collaborated with the Ministry of the Interior and several local governments to create a comprehensive waste banner recycling model. Announced on June 5, 2025, this memorandum of understanding (MOU) signifies a crucial step towards minimizing waste generated from discarded promotional banners.

The Collaborative Effort

Participating in this partnership are local governments from Sejong, Gangneung, Cheongju, Naju, and Changwon, along with private companies such as REVELOP, Sejinplus, and the tech giant Kakao. This joint venture is set to establish a robust system for managing waste banners, from collection to transformation into new products through advanced chemical recycling technologies.

The plan is clear: collect discarded banners, break them down into their molecular components, and recycle them into usable raw materials—specifically recycled PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate). SK Chemicals aims to use its depolymerization-based recycling technology to facilitate this process. By doing so, the companies involved hope to raise the current recycling rate of waste banners, which currently rests at a mere 30%, potentially to a full 100%.

Addressing the Waste Challenge

Statistics reveal that approximately 6,000 tons of waste banners are produced annually in South Korea, of which around 70% end up being incinerated or tossed into landfills. The five participating local governments alone generate nearly 1.95 million tons of waste banners each year. Thus, establishing an efficient collection and recycling system is crucial.

Historically, previous recycling attempts predominantly focused on creating one-off repurposed items, such as shopping bags. While innovative, these solutions frequently concluded with the repurposed materials being discarded once again. In contrast, this new initiative represents a sustainable shift—a closed-loop system that allows for the continuous recycling of materials without degradation.

Technological Advances in Recycling

SK Chemicals’ capabilities in chemically recycling materials present a significant leap forward. In a process known as depolymerization, the company can break down the waste at a molecular level, allowing for the repeated recycling of PET without compromising quality. When these high-quality materials are utilized in the creation of new banners, the prospect of a true circular economy comes to fruition.

Furthermore, products made from recycled materials are set to hit the market soon. REVELOP and Kakao plan to incorporate these recycled PET materials into clothing, furnishing, and even new banners, whereas Sejinplus is gearing up to manufacture automotive interior and construction materials from these recycled sources.

Future Goals and Expectations

As this project unfolds, the Ministry of the Interior underscores the importance of these initiatives in shaping future government policies aimed at waste recycling. Plans are underway to develop national recycling guidelines based on the outcomes of this pilot initiative, guiding local governments and businesses toward better waste management practices.

Kim Hyun-seok, the Head of the Recycling Business Division at SK Chemicals, emphasizes the company's commitment to the sustainability movement, asserting that this collaboration will serve as a cornerstone for fostering a circular economy not just for banners, but potentially across various industries domestically and internationally.

This partnership stands as an emblem of hope and innovation in waste management, positioning SK Chemicals and its collaborators as pioneering forces in the drive toward environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.