■ 21 companies receive certificates among 570 enterprises participated from all over the world this year

– AAA rating is only given to one company in each industrial sector

■ SK Global Chemical is highly regarded for eco-friendly approach through transition to green business models

– It is expected to be introduced as an eco-friendly best practice in the ESG International Disclosure Standards of the Sustainable Accounting Standards Board.

■ CEO Na Kyung-soo: “We will take the lead in building the plastic waste circulation system through practicing Green for Better Life – our eco-friendly strategy”

On the 25^th, SK Global Chemical announced that it has become the first in the global petrochemical industry to receive the highest rating AAA according to the GRP (Guidelines for Reducing Plastic Waste & Sustainable Ocean and Climate Action Acceleration) certified by UN in recognition for its eco-friendly achievements including plastic waste reduction.

GRP is the global environmental guidelines and certification for climate change adaption and reduction of plastic usage. It is published on the SDG HELP DESK managed by the UN ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) as Best Practice in Mainstreaming SDGs and announced every May. GRP covers 30 major issues on the global environmental issues such as plastic usage reduction, marine environment protection, and climate change adaption, and 39 global guidelines. The six industrial groups subject to assessment include ▲ infrastructure industry (petrochemical, energy, construction & plants) ▲ fashion and clothing, ▲ distribution and logistics, ▲food and beverages, ▲ beauty and cosmetics, and ▲ accommodation and restaurants.

Corporations that receive certificates from UN GRP are categorized into 4 groups: AAA (highly sustainable corporations, surpassing the Guidelines), AA+ (sustainable corporations abiding to the Guidelines), AA (corporations close to fully abiding to the Guidelines), and AA- (corporations which have a high understanding of the Guidelines). This year, around 570 enterprises across the world participated, among which 21 companies were given AAA, AA+, AA or AA- rating. AAA, the highest rating which SK Global Chemical received, is especially significant because only one company with the highest achievement in eco-friendly practices in each industry classification can be assigned.

SK Global Chemical’s good evaluation is said to be a result of the technology-based green business transformation that the company is pursuing.

Through pyrolysis oil technology, in which plastic waste is decomposed by heat and regenerated into naphtha, a raw material for plastic, SK Global Chemical has been taking the lead in establishing a virtuous circulation for recycling plastic waste. The company has also been developing eco-friendly plastic technologies and products, such as one material packaging that is easy to recycle, and PBAT (Polybuthylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate), a biodegradable plastic.

Moreover, SK Global Chemical’s efforts to actively implementing eco-friendly measures to reduce greenhouse gas, air pollutants and wastes in their primary manufacturing plants in SK Innovation Ulsan CLX were recognized as an exemplary case in eco-friendly practices.

GRP-certified companies are assigned with certification emblems as partners in three sectors of SDG activities: plastic usage reduction, marine environment protection, and climate change adaption. Especially, by receiving the highest grade, SK Global Chemical is expected to be introduced as an exemplary case in the environmental field in the ESG International Disclosure Standards of the SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board).

“As SK Global Chemical attains the highest rating in GRP for the first time in petrochemical industry, we feel a strong sense of responsibility in realizing the grand transition into green business in global petrochemical industry,” said Na Kyung-soo, CEO of SK Global Chemical. “SK Global Chemical will lead the establishment of plastic waste circulation system through actively practicing Green for Better Life – our eco-friendly strategy.”

[Photos]
Representative of Association for Supporting the SDGs for the UN Kim Jung-hoon (left) and CEO of SK Global Chemical Na Kyung-soo take a commemorative photo as SK Global Chemical received the AAA certificate of UN GRP on May 25^th