Hansol Paper said on the 16th that pulp products produced by recycling milk cartons received GR (Good Recycled) certification from the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Hansol Paper became the first in the industry to obtain GR certification for recycled raw materials rather than general paper products. GR certification is a government program introduced in 1997 that evaluates the quality, safety, and environmental performance of recycled products and is granted only to outstanding recycled products.
The recycled pulp certified this time is a product that recycles milk cartons discarded after use in the market into pulp, the main raw material of paper, by adding 50% or more by mass, and it can replace natural pulp.
According to the Korea Packaging Material Recycling Business Mutual Aid Association, as of 2023, the recycling rate of general milk cartons is only 22.8%. It is lower than other materials such as steel or aluminum cans and glass bottles. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards saw that Hansol Paper's recycled pulp from milk cartons could help improve the recycling rate of milk cartons. It also highly rated the fact that it can be used as a high-quality raw material in the production of various paper products.
A Hansol Paper official said, "This GR certification is a meaningful achievement that recognizes Hansol Paper's eco-friendly technological capabilities and ESG management commitment externally," adding, "As a key raw material for paper products closely tied to daily life, it will contribute to supply chain stability and expanded resource circulation."