SK Chemicals, a global leader in technological innovation for chemical recycling, is developing a plastics recycling innovation center at its plant in Ulsan, South Korea. Called the Recycle Innovation Center (RIC), the center will focus on producing high-quality recycled materials from plastic waste, with a specific focus on depolymerizing low-grade plastics such as textiles, fibers and automotive parts.
The plastic recycling center processes difficult materials
The new facility will use chemical depolymerization technology to convert discarded plastics into recycled materials such as r-BHET, a crucial intermediate for the production of recycled PET and copolyester.
The plant is designed to process plastics that are difficult to recycle using conventional methods, thus expanding the possibilities of chemical recycling to sectors such as fashion, electronics and automotive.
50 tons of r-BHET per year by 2026
The facility will begin operations in 2026 , with an annual production capacity of 50 tons of r-BHET. This reinforces SK Chemicals’ commitment to the circular economy, which will also consolidate its position as a pioneer in the global recycled plastics market.
The depolymerisation technology used will allow for more efficient recovery of materials, ensuring that recycled plastics maintain a quality comparable to that of virgin plastics, facilitating their reuse in new products.
SK Chemicals to boost circular economy
This ambitious project reinforces SK Chemicals’ goal of creating an integrated recycling system that covers everything from the collection of plastic waste to the production of new materials.
With this new facility, SK Chemicals is innovating in recycling technology , which is also paving the way to a more sustainable future by offering fast and tailored solutions to the needs of various industries. The RIC’s integrated approach, combining research, demonstration and production, represents a fundamental step in the evolution of chemical recycling technologies .
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Source and photo: SK Chemicals
