Moorim P&P Develops Eco-Friendly Hangers Using Pulp

No Plastic, ESG Management Momentum Boosts Eco-Friendly Materials Like Paper Across Industries

Eco hangers made from eco-friendly pulp and mannequins made from bioplastics by Murim P&P are being used at the Kolon Sports Hannam flagship store.
[Photo by Murim Paper]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] Murim P&P (CEO Lee Do-gyun), a leading domestic pulp and paper company, has developed an eco-friendly hanger made from pulp, which was previously used only as the main raw material for paper.

This pulp hanger significantly reduces the proportion of conventional petroleum-based plastics, which have been recognized as the main cause of environmental pollution and waste crises, and is jointly developed with the well-known domestic outdoor brand Kolon Sports as an eco-plastic made from the eco-friendly biomass raw material 'pulp.'

Murim P&P is the only company in Korea that produces pulp, the main raw material for paper, and has focused on the eco-friendliness of this raw material, conducting research on its use as a material in other industrial fields beyond its traditional use as a paper raw material. The eco-friendly hanger developed this time is a case where Murim’s research results have been commercialized.

Made by utilizing pulp in recycled resin, this hanger reduces carbon dioxide emissions compared to general plastic hangers and is an eco-friendly hanger that aligns with resource circulation policies. It can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by up to about 25% compared to the carbon dioxide emissions of raw materials for general plastic hangers (approximately 1470g CO²/kg), and is expected to be spotlighted as an upcycled product that adds value by enhancing design versatility.

Academia has predicted that using biodegradable eco-friendly pulp as a substitute for conventional plastics in various disposable products and daily necessities could significantly reduce environmental problems caused by the use of petroleum-based plastics.

Kolon Sports currently has the eco-friendly pulp hangers installed at its Hannam flagship store and plans to gradually expand their use to other stores. The Hannam flagship store also features eco-friendly mannequins made from bio-plastic.

These mannequins are biodegradable bio-plastics developed in collaboration with GVM Korea, applying Murim P&P’s pulp and sawdust instead of conventional non-degradable fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP). The fashion industry, including Kolon Sports, is carrying out environmentally friendly activities such as using eco-friendly materials and recycling resources as part of 'sustainable fashion' to practice environmental protection values.

The bio-plastic market has rapidly grown worldwide, expanding from about $2.6 billion in 2013 to about $5.1 billion in 2018. In advanced overseas markets such as North America and Europe, environmental regulations on the use of eco-friendly raw materials and voluntary consumer movements are spreading, increasing the demand for eco-friendly bio-plastics compared to conventional plastics.

A Murim P&P official said, "We are securing new growth engines by researching ways to replace nearly half of conventional plastics such as toothbrushes and container caps with eco-friendly materials like pulp," adding, "Bio-plastic products that combine the same durability with eco-friendliness can be applied in various industrial fields, and in line with the Green New Deal policy, they will realize carbon emission reduction and upcycling value."

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