SK Global Chemical Co., an SK Innovation affiliate, announced that it had obtained the highest rating on a United Nations (UN) certification. According to SK Global Chemical, the eco-friendly certification marks it as the first company in the worldwide petrochemical sector to secure the highest UN GRP (Guidelines for Reducing Plastic Waste & Sustainable Ocean and Climate Action Acceleration) rating.
The GRP environmental guidelines certify that a company steadily practices climate change adaptation measures and plastic usage reduction. Every May, the UN ESCAP (Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific) announces the year’s GRP certificate recipients.
Moreover, GRP involves 30 significant worldwide environmental issues, including climate change adaptation, marine environment protection, and 39 more global guidelines. GRP assesses six industrial groups, including accommodation and restaurants, beauty and cosmetics, and distribution and logistics. It also evaluates companies in fashion and clothing, food and beverages, and infrastructure industries.
Receiving the AAA rating
Furthermore, UN GRP categorizes certificate recipients into four classes. UN GRP awards the AAA rating to highly sustainable corporations that surpass GRP guidelines. Meanwhile, AA+ commends sustainable corporations that follow GRP guidelines. The AA recognizes corporations on the verge of completely following GRP guidelines, while the AA- acknowledges corporations that understand GRP guidelines thoroughly.
SK Global Chemical received the AAA rating thanks to its eco-friendly approaches, including waste plastic reduction and plastic recycling technologies. The company also obtained the outstanding evaluation and highest marking due to its tech-based green business transition.
The SK Innovation subsidiary has also been leading the plastic waste circulation system establishment using pyrolysis technology. Pyrolysis technology decomposes plastic wastes and upcycles them into a raw plastic material called naphtha. SK Global Chemical also continues to develop easily recyclable plastic packaging and PBAT, a biodegradable plastic material.
Promoting Eco-Friendly Practices
In addition to the new prestigious recognition, the chemical company has developed other eco-friendly measures. For instance, SK Global Chemical recently created South Korea’s first-ever aseptic recycling technology in partnership with various industry-leading companies. SK Global Chemical has also previously partnered with the US-based Brightmark to manufacture and commercialize pyrolysis oil using plastic wastes.
“As SK Global Chemical attains the highest rating in GRP for the first time in the petrochemical industry, we feel a strong sense of responsibility in realizing the grand transition into green business,” said Na Kyung-Soo, SK Global Chemical’s CEO. Na also added that SK Global Chemical plans to forefront the plastic waste circulation system adoption by actively applying its eco-friendly strategy, Green for Better Life.
