SK Chemicals is setting a new standard for the chemical industry with the establishment of its cutting-edge Recycling Innovation Center (RIC) in Ulsan, South Korea. This ambitious project signifies a major advancement in tackling the global plastic waste crisis and positions SK Chemicals as a leader in the development of sustainable materials and circular economy solutions.

The RIC will serve as a hub for innovation in chemical recycling, focusing on advanced depolymerization technologies to break down waste plastics into their original building blocks. This approach goes beyond traditional mechanical recycling, enabling the recovery of high-quality materials from complex waste streams that were previously considered unrecyclable.

At the heart of the RIC is a new pilot facility dedicated to depolymerization. This facility will produce recycled BHET (r-BHET), a crucial precursor to PET and copolyester, which are widely used in packaging, textiles, and automotive applications. By integrating this depolymerization facility with existing copolyester production lines, SK Chemicals is creating a closed-loop system, minimizing waste and reducing reliance on virgin fossil resources.

One of the most significant aspects of this initiative is its focus on tackling textile waste, a notoriously challenging area for recycling. The RIC's depolymerization pilot will be equipped to handle complex textile waste, separating and recycling materials like polyester even from garments containing mixed materials. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize textile recycling and contribute significantly to reducing waste in the fashion industry.

The RIC's pilot facility is expected to commence operations in 2026 with an annual r-BHET production capacity of 50 tons. This pilot phase will be crucial for optimizing the depolymerization process and scaling it for commercial production. In addition to the depolymerization pilot, the RIC will also house a polymerization pilot facility for producing recycled PET and a full-scale production facility for manufacturing recycled copolyester at commercial volumes.

This multi-faceted approach reflects SK Chemicals' commitment to providing tailored solutions for diverse waste plastic challenges across various industries. The RIC will enable the company to collaborate with partners in the automotive, electronics, and fashion sectors to develop and validate customized recycling solutions that meet their specific material requirements.

The establishment of the RIC is a key step in realizing SK Chemicals' Closed Loop solution, a comprehensive strategy for achieving circularity in plastic use. By integrating research, pilot testing, and mass production capabilities, the RIC will accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative recycling technologies.

For the chemical industry, the RIC serves as a model for sustainable innovation and demonstrates the potential of chemical recycling to address the plastic waste crisis. SK Chemicals' investment in this state-of-the-art facility underscores the growing importance of circular economy principles and highlights the role of the chemical industry in driving the transition to a more sustainable future.