ULSAN, South Korea – A high-level delegation from Japan’s influential business organization, the Kansai Association of Corporate Executives (Kansai Keizai Doyukai), recently visited SK Chemicals’ Ulsan plant, expressing high expectations for the company’s advanced chemical recycling solutions.

On April 13, SK Chemicals announced that 37 executives from prominent Japanese firms—including Saraya, Toyota Mobility, and All Nippon Airways (ANA)—toured the facility to witness the company’s closed-loop recycling process firsthand.

The delegation's primary focus was SK Chemicals’ depolymerization technology, a sophisticated process that breaks down waste plastic into its original raw material state. Unlike mechanical recycling, this chemical method allows the resulting materials to maintain the same level of durability, quality, and hygiene as virgin petroleum-based plastics.

"It is highly impressive that SK Chemicals possesses solutions that are ready for immediate commercial application," said Yusuke Saraya, CEO of Saraya. "Their depolymerization-based materials will be a powerful alternative to traditional plastics, especially in the food and beverage packaging sectors."

The visit comes at a strategic time as Japan intensifies its sustainability policies. Much like the EU and South Korea, Japan is currently discussing mandates for corporations to use recycled plastics in packaging and home appliances.

According to SK Chemicals, the Japanese market for chemically recycled PET (CR-PET) saw a fivefold increase last year. "Japan is a rapidly growing market where demand is soaring," said Kim Hyun-suk, Head of the Recycling Business Division at SK Chemicals. "We intend to solidify our presence by providing optimized green solutions for sectors ranging from food containers to automotive interiors."