Ulsan City, "Citizens Directly Participate in Bioplastic Biodegradability Demonstration Evaluation"

On the 7th, 'Biodegradable Bioplastic Everyday Life Laboratory' Held

Citizens Visiting Munsu Baseball Stadium... Collection and Analysis of Used Prototypes

Ulsan City Hall.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Dongguk Lee] Ulsan City will hold the ‘Biodegradable Bioplastic Everyday Life Laboratory (Living Lab)’ event on September 7 at 5 p.m. at the main entrance of Munsu Baseball Stadium.

The event is designed to expand the base of future product demand by allowing Ulsan citizens attending the baseball game to try biodegradable plastic prototypes and evaluate their quality and usability.

The main contents include ▲Introduction of the bioplastic demonstration project supported by Ulsan City ▲Product exhibition and distribution ▲Monitoring of citizens’ awareness on separate waste disposal.

Following last year, this time biodegradable prototypes usable at the baseball stadium will be provided to citizens visiting for the baseball game, and the discarded products after use will be collected for biodegradability demonstration evaluation.

The biodegradable bioplastic prototypes provided at the event are based on high-strength PBAT (polybutylene adipate terephthalate) developed with domestic technology by the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (Bio-Chemical Materials Research Group). They have enhanced strength enough to replace conventional plastics and are characterized by biodegrading more than 90% within six months.

SKC, participating in this project, has secured mass production technology for high-strength PBAT and is considering establishing a production facility with an annual capacity of 70,000 tons. Seven companies, including local company Daein, plan to process and produce 15 types of prototypes as daily convenience products by 2024.

Additionally, the event will newly showcase biodegradable fiber technology being developed by Taekwang Industrial. Biodegradable fibers are gaining attention recently as eco-friendly materials that replace plastic yarns (polyester, nylon, etc.) in the clothing industry.

An official from Ulsan City said, “We have been striving to build a foundation for fostering the eco-friendly bioplastic industry by establishing the Bio-Chemical Practical Application Center, accredited testing institutions, and enacting support ordinances.” He added, “We will continue to make every effort to promote policies for the advancement of the chemical industry to attract excellent companies and connect them to local employment effects.”

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