CHINAPLAS 2025: SK Chemicals shows off real-world sustainable materials

SK Chemicals’ booth at CHINAPLAS highlights the company’s technical capabilities and sustainable specialty solutions under the slogan "On-hand solution for sustainable tomorrow." Rather than presenting future plans or technologies still under development, SK Chemicals focuses on showcasing proven and commercially available products—such as the world's first chemically recycled materials—highlighting sustainable technologies and solutions that can be implemented immediately.

In the field of circular recycled materials based on depolymerization technology, SK Chemicals showcases a lineup of recyclable materials designed with both pre- and post-use recyclability in mind. This includes: CLARO, a copolyester classified as post-consumer PET, applied to skincare and makeup products from L'Oréal and Estée Lauder; SKYPET CR, a PET material used in Samdasoo water bottles and Coldplay's eco-friendly vinyl records; and ECOTRIA CR, a circular recycled copolyester used in interior tiles by CS Group.

SK Chemicals also presents everyday consumer products that feature its flagship materials, including: ECOZEN, a high-heat-resistant bio-based copolyester used in various kitchen appliances, food storage containers, baby tableware, and sports bottles; and SKYGREEN, a high-performance PETG applied in cosmetic packaging and iced cups, valued for its exceptional transparency, chemical resistance, and processability.

Also highlighted is ECOTRION, a 100% plant-based bio polyol used in spandex, synthetic leather, and urethane elastomers; and SKYPEL, a polyester-based elastomer that combines the properties of rubber and engineering plastics, used in automotive parts, industrial hoses, subsea cables, and breathable films, along with related application products.

Ahn Jae-hyun, President of SK Chemicals, stated, "Through this exhibition, we aim to clearly demonstrate that a sustainable plastic ecosystem—where plastic products are recycled back into new plastic products—is not a distant future goal, but a solution that can be realized today." He added, "We will continue to build success cases through close collaboration with leading companies across industries and actively promote our unique technologies and products, including circular recycling solutions."

SK Chemicals' circular recycling is based on depolymerization technology, which breaks down waste plastics at the molecular level to reuse them as raw materials. Unlike mechanical recycling, it maintains the properties and quality—such as the transparency—equivalent to petroleum-based materials, and offers the added benefit of being recyclable again after use. It can also recycle a wide range of waste plastics—not only clear bottles typically used as recycled feedstock, but also colored containers, films, and trays. SK Chemicals, leveraging its world-first commercialization of depolymerization technology, has built a broad lineup of recycled materials ranging from general-purpose PET to high-performance copolyesters such as PETG.