New Korean plant to tackle complex plastic recycling
SK chemicals, a producer of chemically recycled materials, is setting up a recycling solution centre at its Ulsan plant in South Korea that can use complex waste as its feedstock.
The pilot facilities will produce recycled Bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), which can be used as plasticizer in polyester resins and polyurethanes.
This facility will validate commercialisation technology for various types of low-quality waste plastics that were previously difficult to recycle using conventional methods, including blended garments and accessories like buttons, as well as other fibres, films and automotive parts.
The facility is scheduled to begin operations in 2026 with an annual production capacity of 50 tons. BHET(r-BHET), an intermediate raw material for polyester-based materials such as PET and copolyester, is integral to SK chemicals' chemical recycling technology.
Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals, stated, "Establishing an integrated research and production system from recycled raw materials to recycled plastics will be a crucial turning point in accelerating innovation in the plastic ecosystem's circular recycling. Through close cooperation with companies in food and beverage, automotive, electronics, and fashion sectors, we will develop comprehensive resource circulation systems for each industry."
