Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority Launches Full-Scale Marine Plastic Waste Recycling Project

Initial Shipment of 40 Ton Bags of Marine Plastic Waste
Transformed into High-Value Recycled Yarn

[Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Yeosu Gwangyang Port Authority (President Cha Min-sik, hereinafter referred to as the Authority) announced on the 12th that it will start the recycling of 40-ton bags (1-ton bag equals 1㎥) of marine plastic waste collected so far and officially launch the marine plastic waste circular economy project.

The 40-ton bags of marine plastic waste collected this time will undergo preprocessing steps including △primary washing after crushing at a PET bottle recycling factory △secondary crushing and high-temperature washing △plastic chip production through melting, and will finally be produced as high value-added marine plastic recycled yarn at Hyosung factory in Gumi.

To establish a marine plastic waste circular economy, the Authority signed a business agreement with Hyosung TNC (CEO Kim Yong-seop), followed by agreements with Yeosu Coast Guard and Yeosu·Gwangyang Port tank cleaning companies.

An official from the Authority explained that they have built a network connecting the crackdown on plastic dumping at sea by ships with the Coast Guard, collection of marine plastic waste with tank cleaning companies, and production of high value-added upcycled products with Hyosung.

Meanwhile, since last year, the Authority has been promoting the marine plastic waste resource circulation project, and recently, to brand the project, it is undergoing certification review for Ocean Bound Plastic, the first domestic certification for marine plastic waste collection, through Control Union, a global certification company.

Gwangyang=Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik hss79@asiae.co.kr

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