Pyepullaseutik Thermal Decomposition Industry Voices Difficulties as 'Hate Facility'

SME Ombudsman "Actively Consults with Relevant Administrative Agencies"

Joo-Bong Park, Ombudsman (Vice Minister level). [Photo provided by Small and Medium Business Ombudsman]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The pyrolysis plastic waste industry has requested to be classified as a 'new industry in the eco-friendly sector' rather than a 'waste disposal business.' This is because pyrolysis plants are perceived as nuisance facilities related to waste disposal, causing difficulties in business promotion.

On the 15th, Park Ju-bong, Small and Medium Business Ombudsman (vice minister level), announced that he held an 'S.O.S. Talk (SME meeting)' event at the CAMTIC Comprehensive Technology Institute in Jeonju, Jeonbuk, together with the Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters and Jeonbuk Western Branch of the Small and Medium Business Corporation, to listen to companies' requests for regulatory improvements.

This meeting was held targeting small and medium venture companies in the Jeonbuk region, with about 20 participants including Park Ju-bong Ombudsman, Shin Jae-kyung, head of the Jeonbuk Regional Small and Medium Venture Business Administration, Hwang Seong-ik, head of the Jeonbuk Regional Headquarters of the Small and Medium Business Corporation, Jeon Gyeong-hoon, head of the Jeonbuk Western Branch, and six representatives of small and medium venture companies in the Jeonbuk region.

Company A, which attended the meeting, said, "Globally, the recycling of waste resources is being emphasized, and major conglomerates are entering the waste plastic recycling market by extracting eco-friendly raw materials or recycling waste plastics," adding, "Although social interest has increased, the pyrolysis plastic waste industry is classified as a 'waste disposal business,' causing many difficulties."

Company A appealed, "Since pyrolysis plants are perceived as nuisance facilities, they suffer disadvantages in commercialization due to local government permits and resident complaints," and requested, "Please newly classify the industry not as a waste disposal business but as an eco-friendly energy production business to resolve the industry's difficulties."

Pyrolysis is a recycling technology that chemically decomposes polymer-type plastics back into raw materials. During the pyrolysis process of waste plastics, eco-friendly energy (recycled oil) is produced. The industry claims that pyrolysis plants operate in an environment with less harmful wastewater discharge than incinerators and without noise or dust.

In response, Ombudsman Park Ju-bong said, "I agree on the need to expand the recycling industry of waste resources to respond to global climate change and activate the circular economy," and added, "I will actively consult with the Statistics Korea, the administrative agency in charge, to reflect the industry's opinions in the next revision of the standard industrial classification."

Company B, which sells quasi-drugs such as oral cleansing wet wipes, sanitary pads, and breath fresheners, requested regulatory improvements, saying, "Advertising marketing using product reviews online is practically impossible for quasi-drugs," and "Offline marketing is costly, making it difficult for small businesses to proceed. Therefore, many conduct marketing online, but there are limitations due to related regulations." Company B proposed, "If it is specified that efficacy, effects, and performance vary individually, wouldn't it be possible to use product reviews for online advertising?"

In response, Ombudsman Park explained, "According to confirmation with the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the use of images or product reviews in online and offline advertising of quasi-drugs is not prohibited," but added, "However, if the advertisement contains false or exaggerated claims about efficacy (performance), it may be subject to punishment under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act."

Additionally, small and medium venture companies attending the meeting proposed agenda items including ▲relaxation of exclusion criteria for R&D support projects, ▲improvement of evaluation criteria for the Jeonbuk-type export voucher support project, and ▲expansion of the scope of online sales of alcoholic beverages produced by small businesses.

Ombudsman Park said, "In this difficult economic situation where production, consumption, and investment are all declining, I will listen carefully to the voices from the Jeonbuk region and do my best to help small and medium venture companies overcome the crisis and strengthen competitiveness through regulatory improvements."

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