Packaging Films Also as Recycled Materials... Kolon Industries Develops First in Korea

by Choi Daeyul

Published 26 May.2021 10:35(KST)

A Kolon Industries researcher is holding a film made from recycled plastic materials. Photo by Kolon Industries

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Kolon Industries announced on the 26th that it has developed polyester (PET) film using recycled plastic (PCR) raw materials. This is the first time recycled materials have been used in plastic films, which require strict quality control.

The newly developed product will be supplied to LG Household & Health Care and Lotte Aluminum, and will be used from this month in packaging for some household goods and food containers. The three companies have been jointly developing packaging materials using recycled PET since the second half of last year. Until now, PCR PET raw materials have been applied to extrusion-molded sheets or recycled yarn production. Films are much more difficult to manage in terms of quality and shape processing, as they require no impurities and consistent physical properties, making it challenging to use recycled materials.

Kolon Industries plans to expand the application fields of PCR PET films to household goods, food packaging, and industrial uses following this supply. With environmental regulations tightening in Europe, such as mandating that more than half of plastic packaging waste be recycled by 2025, the company expects to respond effectively.

The PET film market exceeds 6 million tons annually, but PCR PET films account for less than 1% of demand. However, growth is evident mainly in areas with lower technical barriers, such as product packaging. Jang Hee-gu, CEO of Kolon Industries, said, "The recycled PET business will become a new pillar of Kolon Industries' ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) management, and we will continue to expand its application fields."