SK Leaveo enters into biodegradable slow-release fertilizer market
● Signing an agreement with agricultural products wholesaler Nousbo on May 24 to commercialize biodegradable polymer-coated CRF fertilizers● Collaboratively developing PBAT-coated ecofriendly product to replace conventional plastic-based coating agentsSK Leaveo, the biodegradable material production subsidiary of SKC (CEO: Woncheol Park), enters into the biodegradable material (PBAT)-coated fertilizer market. Established as a joint venture between SKC and food manufacturer Daesang in 2021 to commercialize biodegradable materials, SK Leaveo is rapidly expanding its market coverage from ordinary disposable products to hygiene products such as wet wipe and diaper, and even agricultural fertilizer coating agents.SK Leaveo signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with agricultural products wholesaler Nousbo at its head office in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 24th to collaborate on the commercialization of eco-friendly biodegradable slow-release coating fertilizers. The signing ceremony was attended by the management leaders of the two companies including CEO Hojin Yang of SK Leaveo and CEO Changgyun Kim of Nousbo.SK Leaveo and Nousbo have reached an agreement to collaborative develop ingredients, materials, processes, and product designs for the commercial launch of a new product by the first quarter of next year. They will also expand their partnership to include business model development and global marketing efforts, with the goal of further expanding their market presence.Slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) utilize coating agents to gradually release fertilizer, allowing for precise control of nutrient release aligned with crop growth. The use of SRFs is steadily increasingly due to their ability to significantly reduce soil and groundwater pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the need for labor by preventing fertilizer overuse. However, the majority of conventional fertilizer coatings are composed of plastic resins like polyester (PE), which can contaminate soil with residual microplastics.In contrast, the biodegradable slow-release coating fertilizers being jointly developed by SK Leaveo and Nousbo offer an innovative solution to these issues. PBAT, which biodegrades in the natural environment, is utilized as the coating material instead of conventional plastics, leaving no residual coating once the fertilizer is fully released. In addition, the biodegradation interval can be adjusted by varying the coating thickness, ensuring greater ease of control over the fertilizer release rate in alignment with the crop growth pattern.As concerns about microplastics in soil continue to rise, the biodegradable coating fertilizer market is expected to expand even further. Europe, one of the biggest fertilizer markets along with North America, intends to implement a ban on fertilizers coated with plastic resins from 2026.SK Leaveo held a groundbreaking ceremony in Hai Phong, Vietnam on May 11 to commence the construction of the world’s biggest single PBAT production plant capable, with a capacity to produce 70,000 tons annually. “The partnership MoU with Nousbo will facilitate the expansion of our biodegradable material business,” said an official at SK Leaveo. “We are dedicated to discovering additional applications for biodegradable materials by maintaining our commitment to technology development initiatives.” [End][SK Leaveo and Nousbo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the development and commercialization of biodegradable slow-release coating fertilizer at the SKC head office in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 24th. CEO Hojin Yang of SK Leaveo (left) and CEO Changgyun Kim of Nousbo present copies of the MoU.]
2024-05-27
SK Leaveo breaks ground on a biodegradable material plant in Vietnam
SK Leaveo breaks ground on a biodegradable material plant in Vietnam● SK Leaveo held a groundbreaking ceremony in the Special Economic Zone of Hai Phong City, Vietnam on the 11th to build the world’s biggest production plant with an annual throughput of 70,000 tons● Maximizing quality and productivity with proprietary technologies and building eco-friendly material ecosystem with Vietnam’s biggest plastic company● SKC CEO Woncheol Park says, “the project marks the beginning of SK Leaveo’s far-seeing dream of resolving the plastic crisis and fostering a sustainable economy”SK Leaveo, the eco-friendly material production arm of SKC (CEO: Woncheol Park) has embarked in full swing on the construction of the world’s biggest PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) production plant. On May 11 (local time), SK Leaveo held the PBAT plant groundbreaking ceremony in the special economic zone of Hai Phong City, Vietnam. The occasion was attended by SKC executives including SKC CEO Woncheol Park and SK Leaveo CEO Hojin Yang, the Ambassador of the ROK to Vietnam Youngsam Choi, and local government dignitaries including Tran Luu Quang, deputy prime minister of Vietnam, and Le Tien Chau, Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee.SK Leaveo is a joint venture incorporated by SKC in partnership with food maker Daesang Corp. in 2022 to launch its high-strength PBAT material business. After adopting high-strength PBAT technology from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) in 2020, SKC continued to upgrade the technology with persistent R&D efforts to prepare for commercialization. The PBAT production plant in Vietnam in which SK Leaveo is investing about 100 million dollars in the first phase will cover 22,389㎡ with an annual production capacity of 70,000 tons which will break the world’s record for a single plant. The plant is scheduled to go live in Q3, 2025 and SK Leaveo has already secured additional sites required for capacity expansion to lay down in advance the groundwork for global expansion. PBAT, known as the decaying plastic, replaces conventional plastics. When buried, gets decomposed naturally by microorganisms, thus contributing to reducing environmental challenges posted by wastes. Conventional PBAT is weak on durability, which limits its applications. Yet, SK Leaveo has developed high-strength PBAT with a proprietary technology utilizing nanocellulose as natural reinforcing agent, which expands its applications from agricultural films, packaging materials, containers to fiber, non-woven fabric, and so forth.Hai Phong City that will be home to SK Leaveo’s PBAT plant is one of the top three cities in Vietnam including the capital city of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in the south, known to be Vietnam’s top sea port and crucial industrial city. In particular, the special economic zone of Hai Phong City where SKC’s biodegradable plastic production plant will be accommodated is touted for providing optimum port and logistics infrastructure.The production plant will use raw material mixing and an ester polymerization processes to produce PBAT. In particular, the nanocellulose reinforcing agent and SKC’s over 40-year-long world-leading know-how will enhance process efficiency to reduce the required investment and lift up productivity. Furthermore, with the wholehearted support from the local government, the plant will satisfy the RE100 (Renewable Energy 100%) requirements, covering 100% of its energy load with only renewable energy sources.Along with the production facility, SK Leaveo also vows to foster an eco-friendly biodegradable material industry ecosystem in Vietnam. To that end, SK Leaveo is partnering with An Phat Corp., Vietnam’s largest plastic manufacturer. An Phat will invest in SK Leaveo's Vietnamese subsidiary and sign a long-term PBAT purchase agreement to manufacture biodegradable plastic products bound for major markets around the world. “Plastic is an indispensable material for modern society, but evokes serious environmental issues,” said SKC CEO Woncheol Park. “The PBAT plant groundbreaking ceremony marks the beginning of SKC and SK Leaveo’s far-seeing dream of resolving the plastic crisis and fostering a sustainable economy.” [End][SKC CEO Woncheol Park (fourth from the left), Tran Luu Quang, deputy prime minister of Viet Nam (fifth from the left), and other executive officials press the groundbreaking button at the groundbreaking ceremony of SK Leaveo’s biodegradable plastic production plant held in the special economic zone of Hai Phong City, Vietnam on May 11 (local time).]
2024-05-13
SK Leaveo-KleanNara join hands in making biodegradable wipes·diapers
● SK Leaveo-KleanNara-Bonoa have come to an agreement to commercialize biodegradable eco-friendly hygienic materials ··· putting heads together to develop innovative new products● Conventional hygienic products made of plastic are increasingly identified as a ‘source of pollution embedded in daily life’··· PBAT·biodegradable LIMEX to contribute towards addressing the challengeSK Leaveo, the biodegradable material production arm of SKC (CEO: Woncheol Park), collaborates with KleanNara, a premium paper product manufacturer in Korea, to develop hygienic products made of biodegradable materials.On the 23rd, SK Leaveo, KleanNara, and KleanNara’s subsidiary Bonoa convened at SKC head office in Jongro-gu, Seoul to formalize an agreement on the commercialization of biodegradable eco-friendly hygienic materials. The signing ceremony was honored by the attendance of the top management officials representing each party to the agreement, namely, CEO Hojin Yang of SK Leaveo, CEO Hyunsoo Choi of KleanNara and CEO Yongil Kim of Bonoa. SK Leaveo and KleanNara have entered into an agreement to jointly develop and commercialize a range of hygienic products utilizing biodegradable PBAT(Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) and LIMEX materials. They also intend to launch a separate joint research initiative focused on developing a comprehensive lifecycle circulation model spanning from production to disposal.The first collaboration item between the two companies will be wet wipes frequently used in our daily life. Unlike dry paper tissues, conventional wet wipes are composed of a blend of fabric infused with plastic materials such as polyester. According to the Korean Ministry of Environment, the annual consumption of wet wipes in homes, restaurants and other establishments in Korea amounts to 1.6 million tons. Due to the characteristics of polyester, wet wipes are resistant to decomposition when reclaimed and may release hazardous substances when incinerated, thus earning criticism as a “source of pollution embedded in daily life.”To address these challenges, SK Leaveo and KleanNara are targeting the launch of new wet wipes, utilizing high-strength PBAT and biodegradable LIMEX, in the third quarter of this year. Their objective is to provide a solution that naturally decomposes while delivering strength and price competitiveness comparable to conventional polyester-based wet wipes. Additionally, they seek to expand their collaborative efforts to facilitate the commercialization of products derived from biodegradable materials. These products will replace items such as diapers and women’s specialty items, currently manufactured from plastic vinyl or non-woven cloth, which may present similar environmental concerns as wet wipes.Meanwhile, SK Leaveo will begin construction on the world’s largest PBAT production plant, with a capacity of 70,000 tons per year, in Hai Phong, Vietnam during the first half of this year. The plant will also accommodate the production facilities of SK TBMGeostone, an SKC investee specializing in biodegradable LIMEX production, to enhance synergy between the two entities.“Collaborating with KleanNara allows us to swiftly broaden the use of biodegradable materials to encompass a wide array of everyday hygienic products,” remarked a representative from SK Leaveo. “We are committed to further develop high-value biodegradable products at a commercial scale to cater to an even broader range of applications.” [End][On April 23rd, SK Leaveo, SKC’s biodegradable material subsidiary, entered into an agreement with KleanNara and Bonoa for the development of eco-friendly biodegradable hygienic materials. The signed copies of the agreement were presented by CEO Hojin Yang of SK Leaveo, CEO Hyunsoo Choi of KleanNara and CEO Yongil Kim of Bonoa.]
2024-04-24
SKC’s biodegradable material investee makes a fresh start as SK leaveo
● Biodegradable material investee Ecovance renamed SK leaveo ··· embodying the core value of its BM ● Full-scale commercialization in high gear with ground broken to build the world’s largest production plant in Hai Phong, Vietnam in the first half of this yearSKC (CEO Woncheol Park)’s biodegradable material investee Ecovance has been renamed SK leaveo, going for full-scale commercialization.SK leaveo held a board meeting on the 5th of April where the board members resolved to change the corporate name. The new name embodies the core value of their biodegradable material business model (BM); that their products will biodegrade naturally, leaving zero waste. SK leaveo also unveiled their new slogan, ‘We leave zero,’ in step with the new corporate name.SK leaveo plans to break ground in Hai Phong, Vietnam in the first half of this year to build the world’s largest PBAT (Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) production plant capable of producing 70,000 tons a year. Hai Phong is Vietnam’s principal port city and key industrial hub, equipped with excellent logistics infrastructure. The city can also meet RE100 requirements by supplying all electricity demands with renewable energy, ensuring the eco-friendliness of the production process.To expand the viable applications of PBAT, SKC uses nano-cellulose extracted from trees as a reinforcing agent to drastically increase its strength to a level comparable to conventional plastic. Accordingly, PBAT can be used for not only agricultural and packaging films and containers for various consumable products but also non-woven fabrics in personal hygiene products including diapers, sanitary pads and other filter products.A production facility of SK TBMgeostone, SKC’s biodegradable LIMEX material investee, will be also hosted by Hai Phong. Biodegradable LIMEX is an innovative eco-friendly material made from natural inorganic limestone combined with biodegradable PBAT resin in lieu of conventional plastic. Synergy between Vietnam’s rich limestone reserve and SK leaveo’s PBAT technology is expected to result in superb quality and price competitiveness.“The new name shows the significance and vision of our biodegradable material business more clearly,” said a SK leaveo official. “We will expand our eco-friendly business portfolio, producing high-value material solutions for a wide variety of applications.” [End][People of SK leaveo, SKC’s biodegradable material investee, present the new CI and slogan.] [SK leaveo CI]
2024-04-08
SK TBM Geostone Supplies Refill Stations Using Biodegradable LIMEX at E-Mart24
● GreenFill Box, using biodegradable LIMEX containers to allow customers to buy detergent refills, has been launched at E-MART24’s R Yongsan TriSquare branch.● Containers are made from a new material that combines a biodegradable polymer (PBAT) and natural limestone to help achieve zero plastic. On March 24, SK TBM Geostone, an investee company of SKC (CEO Woncheol Park) specializing in biodegradable materials, announced that it had launched a service called GreenFill Box in collaboration with E-MART24, a prominent South Korean convenience store company, and a marketing specialist Plan Devenir. GreenFill Box is an eco-friendly refill station in vending machine format.The GreenFill Box, installed at E-MART24’s R Yongsan TriSquare branch in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, is a service that allows customers to easily purchase laundry or dishwashing detergent in a refillable container made of SK TBM Geostone’s biodegradable LIMEX. After buying the container just once, customers can repurchase detergent as many times as needed, enabling eco-friendliness and more reasonable consumption.Biodegradable LIMEX is a new material that combines PBAT(Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate), a biodegradable material that replaces existing plastic resin, and limestone, a natural ingredient. Under certain conditions, it completely biodegrades and returns to nature. Through this, E-MART 24 GreenFill Box can go one step further to realize ‘Zero Plastic’ compared to conventional refill stations that recycle regular plastic containers that do not decompose in landfills or incineration.Previously, in 2021, SKC established SK TBM Geostone through a joint venture with TBM, a Japanese company that owns LIMEX technology. SKC has been promoting the commercialization of biodegradable LIMEX. SK TBM Geostone entered the eco-friendly paint container market by signing an MOU for developing biodegradable and eco-friendly paint containers with Samwha Paint, a leading domestic paint manufacturer in South Korea, in January of this year.Additionally, SKC is working to commercialize high-strength PBAT, a biodegradable material developed by its investee company Ecovance, using its own technology. Ecovance and SK TBM Geostone are planning to build a PABT manufacturing facility with an annual capacity of 70,000 tons, the world’s largest for a single site, and a LIMEX production facility with a capacity of 36,000 tons per year, respectively, aiming for operation in 2025.An executive from SK TBM Geostone said, “It will be easier to practice eco-friendly consumption by reducing plastic usage as consumers can use biodegradable containers for detergent products, which comprise a high proportion of plastic waste generated from households. [End][SKC’s investee company SK TBM Geostone, in the biodegradable materials business, launched the GreenFill Box, an eco-friendly refill station in vending machine format. An employee is introducing a container for the GreenFill Box, made of SK TBM Geostone’s biodegradable LIMEX, at E-MART24’s R Yongsan TriSquare branch.]
2024-03-25
SK TBMGeostone joins hands with Samhwa Paints-P&B to develop eco-friendly containers
● Signing a tripartite MoU on the 22nd ··· aspiring to release biodegradable LIMEX paint containers in Q1● Replacing dozens of thousand tons of plastic containers a year with eco-friendly alternatives··· eco-friendly biodegradable materials to support a variety of applicationsSK TBM Geostone, SKC (CEO: Woncheol Park)’s biodegradable material-producing investee, joins hands with Samhwa Paints to market eco-friendly paint containers.SK TBM Geostone, Samhwa Paints, and container manufacturer P&B signed a memorandum of understanding on the development of biodegradable eco-friendly paint containers at SKC head office in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. The signing ceremony was attended by leading figures of the parties involved in the MoU including CEO Jihyeon Yang of SK TMB Geostone, CEO Kiboong Ryu of Samhwa Paints and CEO Yeonki Hwang of P&B.The purpose of the MoU is to allow the three parties to actively cooperate in ▲designing and distributing eco-friendly paint containers, ▲developing and sourcing eco-friendly ingredients optimized to container design, and ▲developing and manufacturing paint containers.Samhwa Paints plans to adopt paint containers manufactured by P&B out of SK TBM Geostone’s eco-friendly biodegradable LIMEX material in Q1 of this year. SK TBM Geostone has developed LIMEX based on biodegradable PBAT ((Polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) and natural limestone to deliver durability, workability and sealing performance comparable to conventional containers.The Korean paint market is valued at around 4 trillion won. Conventional plastic containers are lightweight and easy to use, but they do not decompose when buried or incinerated, triggering pollution with plastic particulates. In contrast, biodegradable LIMEX containers not only uses eco-friendly ingredients but also decompose more than 90% back to nature in six months when placed under the right composting conditions.SKC founded SK TBM Geostone in a joint venture with TBM of Japan that has LIMEX technology back in 2021 to commercialize biodegradable LIMEX solutions. SKC is also seeking to commercialize high-strength PBAT, a proprietary material developed by its investee Ecovance. Targeting 2025 as the starting year of operation, SKC is building the world’s biggest PBAT production plant to produce 70,000 tons a year and a LIMEX production facility to deliver 36,000 tons a year in Haiphong City, Vietnam. “The collaboration among Samhwa Paints and P&B known for their remarkable competitiveness in paint and container markets and SK TBM Geostone that possess proprietary biodegradable material solutions will produce strong synergy,” said CEO Yang Ji-hyeon of SK TBM Geostone. “We will further diversify the applications of biodegradable materials to enhance our biodegradable material business lineup.” [End][SK TBM Geostone, Samhwa Paints and P&B sign a MoU on the development of biodegradable eco-friendly paint container at SKC head office in Jongro-gu, Seoul on the 22nd. CEO Jihyeon Yang of SK TBM Geostone, CEO Kiboong Ryu of Samhwa Paints and CEO Yeonki Hwang of P&B (from the left) are showing signed copies of the MoU.] [SK TBM Geostone’s eco-friendly paint containers made of biodegradable LIMEX solution]
2024-01-23
SKC invests in world’s biggest biodegradable material production facility in Vietnam
● Received IRC from Hai Phong City, Vietnam on the 22nd ··· putting in high gear the expansion of its global biodegradable material business● Production plant capable of producing high-strength PBAT(annual throughput of 70K tons)·biodegradable LIMEX (annual throughput of 36K tons) from 2025SKC(CEO & President Woncheol Park) has chosen Hai Phong City, Vietnam as its global production base of eco-friendly biodegradable materials, committing full-scale investment.SKC announced on the 25th that its biodegradable material production subsidiary, Ecovance, received an investment registration certificate (IRC) from Hai Phong City in the Hai Phong Conference Center, Vietnam on the 22nd (Vietnam local time). The IRC handover ceremony was attended by top leaders of SKC and Hai Phong City, including CEO Woncheol Park of SKC, Secretary Le Tien Chau of Hai Phong Party Committee and CEO Hojin Yang of Ecovance.Biodegradable material is a ‘perishable plastic’ that can replace conventional plastic. As more people are aware of the needs to reduce the use of disposable goods and relevant regulations increase, the biodegradable material market is growing rapidly. Industry watchers expect the global market for biodegradable materials to grow at an annual rate of over 20% into the future. SKC and Ecovance plan to build a PABT (polybutylene Adipate Terephthalate) production plant, which is one of the best known of its kind, in full swing to start commercial operation in 2025 under the auspices of the local government. The planned production facility of Ecovance is intended to produce 70,000 tons a year, the world’s biggest production capacity for a single production site. Moreover, Ecovance has already secured sites for additional capacity in the special economic zone of Hai Phong City as a stepping stone for further global expansion. SKC, via Ecovance, has endeavored to commercialize its proprietary biodegradable material, high-strength PBAT. In particular, to address the durability-related weakness of ordinary PBAT, nano cellulose extracted from wood is used as reinforcing material to drastically raise the strength of PBAT to conventional plastic. Accordingly, it can be used for a variety of applications, including mulching or packing film, consumer product containers, felt for diaper or face mask, etc. Buyers of considerable volume are already secured in the global market.SK TBM Geostone, SKC’s biodegradable LIMEX material subsidiary, will also base its production facility in the aforementioned plant. SK TBM Geostone intends to build a production plant capable of producing 36,000 tons in the special economic zone of Hai Phong City by 2025. In 2021, SKC incorporated a joint venture, SK TBM Geostone, with TBM of Japan that had the LIMEX technology to combine limestone and conventional plastic resign to suppress plastic usage, paving the way for its commercialization. Biodegradable LIMEX is a new eco-friendly material made by mixing natural inorganic limestone with biodegradable PBAT instead of regular plastic. It is expected to deliver superb quality and competitive price thanks to the synergy between Vietnam’s tremendous limestone reserve and Ecovance’s PBAT production capacity. Commercial negotiations with leading hotel brands and manufacturers of household supplies, toy products and cosmetics are already in the pipeline.One of the top five cities under direct control of the Central Government in Vietnam along with the capital city of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in south, Hai Phong is Vietnam’s best known port city and a key industrial center. In particular, the special economic zone of Hai Phong where SKC’s biodegradable material production facilities will be based is touted for its optimum mix of sea port and logistic infrastructure. Furthermore, the industrial complex can satisfy the RE100 requirements by covering all energy needs with renewable energy sources, ensuring eco-friendliness of production processes. “We can secure global competitiveness by investing in production capacity located in the special economic zone of Hai Phong City, Vietnam, optimized as a base of biodegradable material business,” said an official at SKC. “We will further our eco-friendly business lineup by drawing upon the high-strength PBAT and biodegradable LIMEX technologies in expanding business portfolio to PBS, etc.” [End][SKC invests in world’s biggest biodegradable material production facility in Hai Phong City, Vietnam. In the IRC handover ceremony held in the city on the 22nd, attendees are clapping their hands, including CEO Park Won-cheol of SKC and Secretary Le Tien Chau of Hai Phong Party Committee (4th from the left)]
2023-09-25
SKC helps spread eco-friendly consumption with My Green Place.
● SKC signed an MOU with KEITI on July 13 for the Promotion of Resource Circulation and Expansion of an Eco-friendly Lifestyle. ● SKC and KEITI will collaborate in providing information about Eco-Label certified products and jointly develop content to help and encourage eco-friendly consumption.SKC (CEO & President Woncheol Park) is taking the initiative to raise public awareness and promote eco-friendly consumption of the Eco-Label for green products through its eco-friendly plastic platform My Green Place.On July 13, SKC signed an MOU with the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute (KEITI), a government agency under the Ministry of Environment, for the Promotion of Resource Circulation and Expansion of an Eco-friendly Lifestyle. The signing ceremony held on the same day at KEITI’s headquarters in Eunpyeong-gu, Seoul, was attended by key officials, including SKC Head of the ESG Promotion Division Gab-ryong Choi, KEITI President Heung Jin Choi, and the Co-representative of Montenum, My Green Place operator, Sujin Kim.In addition to providing information on the Eco-Label system and Eco-Label certified products, SKC and KEITI will build on this MOU to jointly develop and apply various content on the My Green Place platform to encourage users to choose Eco-Label products. They further agreed to cooperate on nationwide eco-friendly culture promotion campaigns using My Green Place and provide environmental education to future generations.The Eco-Label is an eco-friendly product certification system, certifying products and services that reduce consumption of energy and resources while minimizing the generation of pollutants throughout the entire production and consumption process. Certified products are marked with an Eco-Label logo. This system is implemented in over 40 countries worldwide and has been in place in South Korea since 1998 with more than 20,000 certified products to date.My Green Place is a mobile game-type information platform for separate waste disposal, the first of its kind in South Korea, which was released by SKC last year on Earth Day (April 22). By scanning the barcode of a product that uses plastic materials, users can easily check the information regarding plastic materials such as PET and PE, names that are hard to understand, and learn how to dispose of them properly. In addition, users can earn points from the platform and use them in a game where they can turn wastelands into green fields. Currently, the platform has recorded nearly 20,000 downloads.SKC Head of the ESG Promotion Division Gab-ryong Choi said, “My Green Place, hitting 70,000 users in just over a year since its launch, will help make the Eco-Label system more widely known to consumers and promote the use of eco-friendly products,” and added, “We will continue to engage in various activities to raise awareness about resource circulation and foster an eco-friendly consumption culture.”KEITI President Heung Jin Choi said, “This is an example of a desirable collaboration where a company from the private sector joins the promotion of eco-friendly policies for sustainable development,” and added, “The extensive network and influence of a large enterprise are partnered with innovative thinking and creative approaches of an emerging company. This partnership will effectively promote the eco-friendly certification system, including the Eco-Label, to the general public.” [End of document]
2023-07-13
SK pucore’s polyurethane insulation material successfully captured both ‘performance and safety'
SK pucore’s urethane insulation material based on ‘high retardant polyol’
became the first of its kind in the industry to pass the official ‘semi-noncombustible
material suitability test.’The insulation material has enhanced fire safety while insulation
performance is maintained, and SK pucore will “consolidate its leadership in
eco-friendly, high value-added polyurethane leadership.”
SK pucore, a polyurethane business in which SKC (President: Woncheol Park) has
invested, became the first of its kind in the industry to receive an official
recognition for the safety of a polyurethane insulation material.
SK pucore announced on
December 19 that it has co-developed a urethane insulation material since
October this year through a consortium with four other companies including SY,
a construction materials company, Geum Sung Insulationtech, Lotte E&C and
Lotte Chemical, and that this material passed the Korea Conformity
Laboratories’ ‘semi-noncombustible material* suitability test’ this month. It
is the first time that polyurethane insulation material, which has long been
considered a combustible that burns easily, passed the semi-noncombustible
material suitability test certified by KOLAS (Korea Laboratory Accreditation
Scheme) of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards.
*Materials with properties
equivalent to noncombustible materials that do not burn.
In the existing construction industry, there was a
dilemma that excellent high-performance insulation materials tended to have
weak flame retardancy, a property that prevents burning of a material, and materials
with high flame retardancy tended to demonstrate degraded insulation performance.
Polyurethane has been classified as a material with excellent insulation properties
but poor flame retardancy. As the bill for the amendment of the Building Act
was passed last year, which strengthens the fire safety of building materials, semi-noncombustible
performance became a must for building materials made of polyurethane,
Styrofoam, etc. in the future.
In order to overcome such drawback of polyurethane, SK
pucore established a ‘flame retardant material mixing system’ that can be
applied to polyol, a raw material of polyurethane, and successfully developed
high flame retardant polyol that maintains excellent insulation performance. In
addition, Lotte Chemical which supplies basic polyol materials contributed to
ensuring semi-noncombustible performance as it developed a raw material with
excellent thermal resistance. Lotte E&C plans to actively apply the product
in real construction sites.
It should be particularly noted that, in this semi-noncombustible
material suitability test, excellent flame retardancy was successfully proven
by use of thin steel sheets for external wall finishing instead of granites,
tiles or bricks that are resistant to fire. In addition, for the foaming used
in the insulation material manufacturing process, an eco-friendly foaming agent
with significantly reduced greenhouse gas emission was used to enhance the
eco-friendliness as well as safety. SK pucore, together with other insulation material
manufacturers, has also started to develop mass-production technology and specialized
facilities for this safe, eco-friendly polyurethane insulation material.
An SK pucore executive said, “We expect that this
insulation material with excellent insulation performance and flame retardancy
will minimize energy consumption, ensure safety against fire and contribute to
relevant policy reinforcement all at the same time,” and added, “SK pucore will
further consolidate its leadership in eco-friendly and high value-added
polyurethane technology through continued research and development activities.”.
[End of document]
2022-12-19
SK picglobal became the first in the world to commercialize a facility exclusively devoted to DPG production
A
DPG-only production facility finished construction at Ulsan plant on November
28 with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons, consecutively proving
that SK picglobal is capable of becoming the first in the world on this technology.SK
picglobal evolves into a care materials company to increase people’s quality of
life and promote safety and eco-friendliness.SKC
speeds up the transformation of its chemical business into ESG materials
business, and enhances the three pillars of growth: rechargeable batteries,
semiconductors and eco-friendly materials.
SK
picglobal, a chemical business invested by SKC (President: Woncheol Park), commercializes a DPG-only process that is dedicated to an
exclusive production of dipropylene glycol (DPG) products that are high
value-added, eco-friendly materials.
On
November 28, SK picglobal held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Ulsan plant for the
DPG-only production facility with an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons.
While DPG has been produced only through co-production in the past, SK picglobal
became the first in the world to successfully commercialize this DPG-only
production. The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by more than 100 key people
from SKC and political sphere including President Woncheol Park of SKC,
President Kidon Won of SK picglobal, Ulsan City Mayor Doo-gyeom Kim and
Director General for the Materials, Parts and Equipment Cooperation Gyeong-ho
Lee of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Propylene
glycol, PG, is characterized by its moisturization and fragrance-binding
properties, and is an eco-friendly, high value-added material used for various
purposes including food, beverages and pharmaceuticals. DPG, in particular, is
used as a raw material for cosmetics, personal care, perfume, etc., and has the
highest added value among various PG product groups. Along with the improvement in living standards, the
demand for DPG is also increasing and the industry forecasts the DPG market to
show a growing trend 1.5 times faster than the entire PG market.
However,
in order to produce 1 ton of DPG, 6 tons of other PG products had to be made so
far. For this reason, it was restricted to increase production capacity to meet
demand. Since 2017, SK picglobal
has worked with Sumitomo Chemical (Japan) to develop DPG-only production process
and became the first in the global chemical industry to succeed in commercialization.
Through this, SK picglobal will be able to supply more high-quality DPG products
and also expand facilities according to future demand growth with more efficiency.
With
the commercialization of DPG-only production process, SK picglobal’s evolution into
an eco-friendly care materials company will be in full swing. SK picglobal was the
first in South Korea to commercialize propylene oxide (PO), a raw material for PG,
in 1991, and was the first in the world to commercialize the eco-friendly HPPO process
in 2008 from which the only byproduct from PO production is water. Based on these
achievements, annual PG production capacity of 100,000 tons in 2016 has been increased
to the current level of 210,000 tons, which will be further expanded to 270,000
tons. An eco-friendly system was also established throughout the process by recycling
99% of waste and wastewater and reducing carbon emissions to the lowest level in
the industry.
President
Kidon Won of SK picglobal said, “Starting with the commercialization of the world’s
first DPG-only production process, SK picglobal will evolve from a chemical company
representing South Korea into a care materials company more focused on quality of
life improvement for humanity, safety from disease and use of ESG-based eco-friendly
technology.”
SKC’s
identity innovation will further pick up speed as well. An SKC executive said, “SKC
is transforming its identity into a global ESG materials solution company with its
three pillars of future growth being rechargeable batteries, semiconductors and
eco-friendly materials,” and added, “We plan to expedite the transformation of our
existing chemical business into ESG materials business based on differentiated technology.”
[End]
2022-11-28
