SK Chemicals (CEO Jae-hyun Ahn) participated in NPE 2024 (The Plastics Show) held at the Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) in Orlando, USA from the 6th to the 10th of May, where the company unveiled its plans to expand its global market by introducing its cutting-edge circular recycling technology. NPE is an event hosted by the Plastics Industry Association and is considered one of the three major plastics trade fairs alongside Chinaplas and K Trade Fair. It covers all industries, from automobiles to medical, consumer goods, construction, and more. The event aims to promote innovation and sustainability in the plastics industry. In line with the global trend towards plastic recycling, the U.S. government has implemented various policies, including the National Recycling Strategy to achieve a 50% recycling rate by 2030, the ‘Plastic Recycling Modernization Act,’ and ‘Producer Responsibility Plastic Recycling.’ Local governments are also considering enacting laws mandating plastic recycling. Recognizing this trend, SK Chemicals presented a wide range of sustainable materials utilizing circular recycling technology at NPE. The company showcased its highly functional recycled copolyester ‘ECOTRIA CR,’ produced using chemical recycling technology, ‘SKYPET CR,’ a PET material, and ‘ECO,’ a copolyester classifiable as PET after use and recycling. Additionally, a diverse lineup of materials, including ‘ECOTRIA CLARO,’ attracted significant attention from visitors. Circular recycling is SK Chemicals’ unique chemical recycling method. Unlike physical recycling, which involves breaking down waste plastic into smaller pieces, washing it, and using it as a raw material for new plastic, circular recycling chemically breaks down the plastic to the molecular level and then uses it as a raw material for new plastic. This process allows for infinite recycling without compromising the quality of the product. SK Chemicals also showcased a range of commercialized products made using circular recycling technology. Various global brand products of cosmetics containers, home appliances, and daily necessities with ‘ECOTRIA CR’ applications were on display, along with Samdasoo Reborn, a product utilizing ‘Skypet CR.’ These finished products have passed strict quality tests from renowned brand companies and have already been commercialized, capturing the attention of visitors. By meeting customers with actual products made from recycled materials, SK Chemicals was able to dispel the preconceived notion that recycled plastic has limitations in physical properties and quality. Furthermore, the company emphasized its achievement of ‘first-in-the-world’ recycling technology. According to Dong-min, head of marketing/operations at SK Chemicals, the company plans to continue actively marketing its differentiated recycled materials, which have been commercialized through a plant. SK Chemicals also exhibited Ecotrion, a bio-material made from industrial starch used in spandex, artificial leather, and urethane elastic materials; Ecozen, a highly heat-resistant copolyester mixed with materials extracted from biomass such as corn; and Skygreen materials, which offer transparency and chemical resistance and are primarily used in various applications such as cosmetics, food packaging containers, and home appliances. These products showcased SK Chemicals’ commitment to providing eco-friendly solutions for the North American market. Sang-soo, head of SK Chemicals’ Green Materials Business Division, highlighted the importance of the North American market, which is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 7.9% by 2030. The company expressed its intention to lead this market through close collaboration with brand owners and customers in the region.
SK Chemicals Expands Global Circular Recycling Technology Market at NPE 2024
