Advancements in PET Recycling Plant Construction Unfold

In a significant leap towards advancing sustainable practices in the realm of plastic recycling, SK Geo Centric (SKGC) has embarked on the construction of its pioneering plant dedicated to recycling post-consumer PET polyester in Ulsan, South Korea. This groundbreaking initiative comes to fruition with the integration of Canada's Loop Industries' cutting-edge Infinite Loop technology, setting ambitious targets for the annual production of 70,000 tons of 100% recycled virgin-quality PET resin.

The fundamental objective of this initiative is to achieve substantial environmental benefits, with anticipated savings exceeding 200,000 tons of CO2 when compared to the production of virgin PET derived from fossil fuels. The collaboration between SKGC and Loop Industries is not merely a technological endeavor but also a strategic move towards fostering sustainability in the Advanced Recycling Cluster complex in Ulsan.

Daniel Solomita, the visionary Founder and CEO of Loop Industries, takes pride in this collaborative effort, highlighting its pivotal role in the broader context of sustainable innovation. He underscores Loop's success in refining depolymerization technology, a process crucial for producing high-quality PET from 100% recycled material. Having validated the scalability of this technology in Quebec, the partnership with SKGC marks a significant transition into the next phase of strategic development.

Loop Industries specializes in revolutionary technology focused on depolymerizing low and no-value waste PET plastic and polyester fibers. This inclusive approach extends to a diverse range of materials, including plastic bottles, packaging, carpets, textiles, and even degraded ocean plastics. The transformative process turns these materials back into monomers, which undergo meticulous filtration, purification, and polymerization, culminating in the creation of Loop-branded PET resin. This resin attains virgin quality, making it suitable for applications in food-grade packaging and polyester fibers that can be infinitely recycled without any compromise in quality.

Looking ahead, Solomita envisions the establishment of three additional facilities in the Asian joint venture with SKGC, complemented by another facility planned for France. These strategic expansions are designed to bolster and facilitate global brand partners in their pursuit of sustainability objectives, particularly in increasing the incorporation of recycled content.

Kim Jun, Vice Chairman and CEO of SK Innovation, projects a future where Ulsan evolves into a central hub for the plastic circular economy. This forward-looking perspective underscores a profound commitment to sustainable practices and the ongoing advancement of recycling technology. The ripple effect of this strategic move extends beyond the local context, making substantial contributions to environmental conservation and significantly reducing carbon emissions on a global scale.

In essence, the collaborative efforts between SKGC and Loop Industries represent a remarkable synergy between technological innovation, environmental stewardship, and corporate responsibility. The journey towards a more sustainable and circular approach to plastic usage takes a significant step forward, setting an example for the industry and beyond.