SKC Expands Supply of Biodegradable Films... Strengthening Position as Eco-Friendly Material Company

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] SKC is expanding the use of its eco-friendly biodegradable film beyond food packaging to include ice pack packaging, clothing, and book packaging, thereby enhancing its social value. Since commercializing the world's first biodegradable PLA film in 2009, SKC has been strengthening its eco-friendly materials business.

Starting in March, SKC will supply biodegradable film for ice pack packaging and clothing packaging vinyl to Shinsegae TV Shopping. After about five months of testing, the two companies have commercialized the industry's first 100% biodegradable material ice pack packaging. SKC packaging made with biodegradable materials such as PLA does not produce plastic waste, unlike conventional plastic packaging. Compared to paper-based packaging, it is water-resistant and has superior durability.

SKC, which has positioned eco-friendliness as a key business pillar, is steadily expanding its eco-friendly business. Since October 2018, it has been supplying biodegradable PLA film as banana packaging for Starbucks Korea, and since October last year, it has expanded its supply items to include cake protective vinyl, muffin, and sandwich packaging. It is currently developing food packaging with domestic convenience store chains.

The company has also expanded its use to vegetable packaging. SKC is already supplying biodegradable PLA film as packaging for some vegetable products at a major domestic supermarket and is discussing application plans with other large supermarkets. It is improving the physical properties of the film to supply it for vegetable packaging to a domestic eco-friendly organic specialty chain.

SKC’s biodegradable film is also attracting interest overseas. In Japan, a convenience store chain is evaluating biodegradable PLA film for rice ball packaging. In Southeast Asia, discussions are underway to apply it to vinyl packaging for in-flight meal knife sets. In Europe, biodegradable film is being used for packaging various magazines and advertising publications in fashion, automotive, and other sectors.

SKC’s biodegradable PLA film is made from corn-extracted components, biodegrades quickly when buried in soil, and leaves no harmful residues. It has excellent transparency and strength and is easy to print on, making it versatile. In addition to packaging for fresh foods such as snacks and bread, it can be used for paper shopping bags, paper boxes, beverage bottle labels, and coated paper. SKC is leveraging its R&D capabilities to supply products tailored to customer needs.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.