SKC accelerates the development of technology for mass production of environment-friendly biodegradable new material

• High-intensity PBAT reinforced with nano-cellulose made from wood-derived pulp∙∙∙ the technology transferred from KRICT

• Promoting to secure technology for mass production through MOTIE’s R&D project∙∙∙ aiming for commercialization by 2021 

SKC has taken a step to secure the technology for mass production of environment-friendly biodegradable new material with drastically reinforced strength. The material, which is made with the technology transferred from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT), is high-intensity PBAT (polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate) reinforced with nano-cellulose derived from wood-derived pulp.

On July 25, SKC, the KRICT, and Ulsan Metropolitan City signed an MOU at a ceremony held at the Ulsan City Hall to work together for the commercialization and demonstration of the project for the biodegradable plastic led by the MOTIE. The said project will be participated by a 16 organizations including SKC and the KRICT.

As part of the said project, SKC and the KRICT aim to develop the technology for mass production of the raw materials and extensibility of the use of the materials; adjusting the speed of biodegradation. Ulsan Metropolitan City, which has cooperated with the KRICT in the development of PBAT technology, will provide facilities needed for the said demonstration, including a trash landfill site and administrative support like enactment of relevant municipal ordinance.

High-intensity PBAT is a biodegradable plastic made from PBAT, improving on the original material’s low-intensity. PBAT is made from materials derived from petroleum, displaying excellent eco-friendliness and flexibility by being degraded 100% underground within six months. But it does have the weakness of being easily broken. The KRICT tried using nano-cellulose made from wood-derived pulp in order to reinforce the strength of PBAT.

As a result, the new PBAT has the intensity similar to that of petroleum-_ base_d plastics, which are widely used. The new PBAT is expected to go a long way to solve the problem of plastic waste because it can replace non-degradable petroleum-_ base_d plastics like plastic bags, mulching films, and items made by injection molding.

Seeing such characteristics of PBAT, SKC decided to take over the technology from the KRICT. As the first company in the world to commercialize biodegradable PLA film, SKC is expanding the business by adopting environment-friendly materials as major items of business model innovation. In 2019, the company joined the Alliance to End Plastic Wastes (AEPW) in a bid to recycle plastic waste.

SKC, jointly with the KRICT, plans to secure the technology for mass production of PBAT. The Company plans to supply raw materials for high-intensity PBAT to the producers of plastic bags, plastic straws, and items made by injection molding, etc., and to improve on the product’s quality progressively. It also aims for commercialization of PBAT by 2021.

Commenting on the matter, an SKC official said, “We plan to contribute to the growth of the domestic biodegradable plastics market through the introduction of eco-friendly, high-intensity PBAT.”

[Two relevant photos]

[SKC is striving to secure the technology for mass production of biodegradable plastics with drastically reinforced strength. On July 25, SKC, the KRICT, and Ulsan Metropolitan City signed an MOU at a ceremony held at the Ulsan City Hall to work together for the commercialization and demonstration of the project for the biodegradable plastic led by the MOTIE.]

[High-intensity PBAT is a biodegradable plastic with drastically reinforced strength.]