South Korean Recycling Centers

SK Chemicals is setting up a new waste plastic recycling center in Korea to help improve recycling methods. This facility called the Recycle Innovation Center (RIC), will be built at the company’s Ulsan plant, where eco-friendly chemicals are produced. The center will focus on making recyclable raw materials, conducting research, and producing materials.

A major part of this project is "the development of pilot facilities that will use chemical processes to break down waste plastics and turn them into recycled BHET (r-BHET)." These facilities will connect with existing copolyester production units, making this SK Chemicals' first center in Korea to use depolymerization technology for recycling.

The new center will focus on "recycling a variety of materials that were previously difficult to process, including not just plastic bottles, but also textiles, fibers, films, and car parts." Recycling textiles is particularly challenging because garments are made from different materials like polyester, and cotton, and various accessories, such as buttons.

Image Credit: SK Chemicals