Technological watch
PureCycle, SKGC to build PP chemical recycling plant in South Korea
Asia's first plant for chemical recycling of polypropylene will be built in Ulsan, South Korea, according to an announcement by global chemical firm SK Geo Centric (SKGC) and PureCycle Technologies Inc.
The two firms first announced a memorandum of understanding to develop and operate a chemical recycling plant based on PureCycle's technology in August. The announcement out Jan. 10 says the companies expect the site in Ulsan to have annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons and be completed by the end of 2024.
PP is widely used in applications ranging from consumer products and food packaging to automotive interior materials. However, it is often used in combination with other materials and additives, limiting its potential for successful mechanical recycling. PP waste is today for the most part considered unrecyclable and incinerated.
PureCycle’s solvent-based purification recycling technology, developed by Procter & Gamble Co., makes it possible to separate contaminants, odous, and colors from recycled feedstock, transforming it into ultra-pure recycled (UPR) plastic that can be used for commercial production in any PP market.
The cooperation between the two companies is aimed at creating a joint venture that will not only recycle plastic waste and provide South Korea with ultra-pure recycled PP, but also be able to develop diverse consumer products. This latest agreement follows after Na Kyung-soo, president and CEO of SKGC, visited PureCycle's research and development facility and demonstration plant in Ohio in November 2021.
The companies signed the plant agreement Jan. 6 at CES 2022 in Las Vegas.
SKGC is a global leader in PP production and has deep technological capabilities, and wide marketing reach in Asia. The partnership between the two companies will combine SKGC's strengths with PureCycle's purification technology to supply a premium recycled plastic resin to the growing market.
The two firms first announced a memorandum of understanding to develop and operate a chemical recycling plant based on PureCycle's technology in August. The announcement out Jan. 10 says the companies expect the site in Ulsan to have annual capacity of 60,000 metric tons and be completed by the end of 2024.
PP is widely used in applications ranging from consumer products and food packaging to automotive interior materials. However, it is often used in combination with other materials and additives, limiting its potential for successful mechanical recycling. PP waste is today for the most part considered unrecyclable and incinerated.
PureCycle’s solvent-based purification recycling technology, developed by Procter & Gamble Co., makes it possible to separate contaminants, odous, and colors from recycled feedstock, transforming it into ultra-pure recycled (UPR) plastic that can be used for commercial production in any PP market.
The cooperation between the two companies is aimed at creating a joint venture that will not only recycle plastic waste and provide South Korea with ultra-pure recycled PP, but also be able to develop diverse consumer products. This latest agreement follows after Na Kyung-soo, president and CEO of SKGC, visited PureCycle's research and development facility and demonstration plant in Ohio in November 2021.
The companies signed the plant agreement Jan. 6 at CES 2022 in Las Vegas.
SKGC is a global leader in PP production and has deep technological capabilities, and wide marketing reach in Asia. The partnership between the two companies will combine SKGC's strengths with PureCycle's purification technology to supply a premium recycled plastic resin to the growing market.
This project has been co-funded with the support of the LIFE financial instrument of the European Union [LIFE17 ENV/ES/000438] Life programme
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