SK Chemicals announced on the 18th that it will establish a "Recycling Innovation Center (RIC)" capable of producing recycled plastic raw materials on the site of its Ulsan factory.
The plan is to build the RIC in consolidation with the existing copolyester commercial production facilities.
This is the first time that a recycling composite facility based on depolymerization technology will be established in the country.
The pilot facility aims to be operational in 2026 and will be constructed with an annual production capacity of 50 tons (t). It will verify commercialization technology for various forms of low-quality plastic waste, including not only typical transparent plastic bottles but also fibers, films, and automotive parts.
SK Chemicals plans to strengthen cooperation with industries such as beverages, cosmetics, home appliances, and automotive based on the RIC, securing a resource recycling infrastructure for plastic waste and a stable supply chain for waste resources.
Additionally, SK Chemicals expects that the completion of the RIC will accelerate the ongoing establishment of a closed loop. Plastic waste, which has traditionally been landfilled and incinerated, will be produced again in the same form as petroleum-based plastics to realize a completed recycling system.