SK Group has set and been taking actions to reach the goal of contributing 1% of global carbon reduction target. As a member of SK Group, SK Innovation, along with all its subsidiaries, is also taking the lead in the Net Zero journey by implementing “Carbon to Green” strategy to transform into a Green Energy & Materials Company.

Such efforts of SK Innovation affiliates will be showcased at CES 2023, the largest tech event in the world held in Las Vegas, the U.S. Through SKinno News’ latest series – “Into the 1nnovation,” we will give you a sneak peek at what SK Innovation and its subsidiaries will bring to the upcoming exhibition.

In the fourth part of this series, we will explore several technologies of SK Geo Centric, which is actively leading the establishment of plastic circular economy through close cooperation with various global partners. SK Geo Centric is continuing its efforts to preoccupy the recycled plastic market that will be formed in the near future by building a Plastic Advanced Recycling Cluster that gathers the world’s three major chemical recycling technologies in one place by 2025.

 
| UD (Unidirectional) Tape and UD Laminate Sheet
 

▲ The UD (Unidirectional) Tape developed by SK Geo Centric

The UD (Unidirectional) Tape developed by SK Geo Centric (SKGC) is an intermediate substrate manufactured by impregnating polymers with reinforcements in one direction and then winding it in the form of a tape. Like the steel-concrete structure of a building, fiber-type reinforcements maximize mechanical properties of materials. Through optimized structural design and forming method, it can be used for aircraft, automobile parts, high rigidity frames, and more. UD sheet can be made by laminating several layers of UD tape, and it can achieve equal or higher strength with a weight that is 5 times lighter than steel material.

SKGC’s UD Tape is a recyclable composite material based on Thermoplastic Polymer. In addition, according to empirical test, during the manufacturing process, UD Tape has CO₂ reduction effect (compared to steel). As a light-weight material, it also improves fuel efficiency.

 
| Advanced Plastic Recycling Technologies
 

▲ The recycled plastic pelletes that applied SK Geo Centric’s chemical recycling technologies

SK Geo Centric (SKGC), which aims to become the largest Urban Oil Field in the world, produces multiple recycled plastic materials in collaboration with its global partners. Partnering with major waste plastic recycling companies such as PureCycle Technologies, Loop Industries, and Plastic Energy, SKGC has secured three key differentiated chemical recycling technologies, including technologies for Ultra-Pure PP extraction, PET Depolymerization, and Pyrolysis.

Aside from strengthening its global partnership, the company also developed its own Pyrolysis post-treatment technology. Pyrolysis oil itself is being produced in many other plants, but it can be mainly used for fuel for indoor heating. However, SK Innovation and SKGC’s own developed Pyrolysis post-treatment technology allows pyrolysis oil to replace naphtha for petrochemical processes, thereby enabling an oil field within a city (an Urban Oil Field).

By acquiring advanced recycling technologies, which allow repeatable recycling of any form of plastic, including mixed colored plastic scrap, and securing the synergy effect between other processes, SKGC will accelerate its establishment of the circular economy for plastics to lead the global plastic recycling industry.