SK Innovation Lee Seong-jun, Director of Environmental Science and Technology Institute, Receives Industrial Medal

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Lee Sung-joon, head of SK Innovation's Environmental Science and Technology Institute, recently received the Industrial Merit Award at the '2020 Korea Technology Awards' ceremony held at COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This recognition marks SK Innovation's achievement in its 'Deep Change' efforts aimed at fundamental business innovation.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy annually selects and awards industrial technology promotion contributors who have contributed to technology development and promotion to foster public consensus on the importance of industrial technology and to highlight the excellence of Korean technology.

This award is the result of SK Innovation's consistent pursuit of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) management. SK Innovation stated that the key achievement recognized was the independent development and world-first commercialization of technology to extract lithium hydroxide from spent batteries for recycling.

Through this technology, SK Innovation has established a technological foundation for an eco-friendly industry that extracts and recycles key metals from spent batteries discharged from electric vehicles, power tools, mobile phones, and laptops.

SK Innovation has also taken the lead in achieving material independence from Japan. SK IE Technology, SK Innovation's materials business subsidiary, developed and established a production system for a transparent PI film that is colorless, transparent, and highly elastic using proprietary technology. Notably, they completed a special coating technology to prevent contamination and scratches independently, laying the groundwork to break away from reliance on Japanese companies. The transparent PI film is applied in foldable displays such as foldable smartphones and rollable OLED displays, as well as automotive applications and outdoor billboards.

SK Innovation has also achieved innovation in its existing lubricants business. It was recognized for developing an eco-friendly catalyst used to produce high-quality base oils. The lubricating base oils produced using this catalyst are key components of environmentally friendly premium lubricants, improving vehicle fuel efficiency and reducing automotive emissions including carbon dioxide.

Lee Sung-joon, head of the Environmental Science and Technology Institute, said, "This award recognizes the research results aligned with SK Innovation's ESG direction," adding, "As the company has expanded and reorganized its R&D into the Environmental Science and Technology Institute, the institute will continue to research and develop technologies that positively impact human convenience and the environment, playing a leading role at the forefront of ESG management."

Meanwhile, Kim Joon, SK Innovation's Chief Executive Officer, recently expanded and reorganized the Technology Innovation Research Institute into the Environmental Science and Technology Institute, urging, "Through strong implementation of 'Green Balance 2030' based on our financial story, the Environmental Science and Technology Institute should take the lead in completing ESG management."

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