- Kim Han-seok, Head of SK Chemicals’ Research Institute, receives the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit
- SK Chemicals’ recycling and bio-based materials technologies recognized for advancing the circular economy
SK Chemicals has been awarded the Order of Industrial Service Merit (Bronze Tower) in recognition of its contributions to the development of the chemical industry.
SK Chemicals (CEO: Ahn Jae-hyun) announced on October 31 that Kim Han-seok, Head of SK Chemicals’ Research Institute, received the Bronze Tower Order of Industrial Service Merit at the 17th Chemical Industry Day ceremony held on October 31 at The Plaza Hotel in Seoul.
Now in its 17th year, Chemical Industry Day has been held annually since 2009 to commemorate October 31, 1972, when the Ulsan Petrochemical Complex, widely regarded as the foundation of Korea’s modern chemical industry, was completed.
SK Chemicals was recognized for its leadership in developing waste PET recycling technologies, bio-based resins, and other innovations that have advanced the sector.
SK Chemicals has successfully commercialized chemical recycling based on depolymerization, which turns waste plastics back into feedstock and then into new, high-quality plastic materials. The process breaks end-of-life plastics down to their molecular building blocks and reproduces them as high-value materials. Unlike mechanical recycling, which relies on reprocessing, this is a technically demanding approach that returns materials to the feedstock level and enables repeated recycling without loss of quality.
By establishing a stable production system for a chemical recycling technology with few commercial precedents worldwide, and by extending its application beyond PET to industries such as automotive, home appliances, and textiles, the company has demonstrated its technological leadership in Korea.
In addition, SK Chemicals has driven innovation across multiple fronts, including the development of bio-based plastic materials, high-performance copolyester technologies, biofuel technologies, and high-value chemical materials and fuels, contributing to strengthening Korea’s chemical industry competitiveness and export growth.
Kim Han-seok, Head of SK Chemicals’ Research Institute, said, “I believe this honor recognizes the breadth of technologies SK Chemicals has built over many years and our commitment to delivering sustainable materials. We will continue to achieve further breakthroughs in resource circularity and eco-friendly materials, creating positive change for both industry and society.”
