Kolon Industries to make 100% plant-based eco-friendly plastic

Kolon Industries Inc.'s Future Technology Institute announced on Wednesday that it has partnered with Stora Enso Oyj, a global biomaterials leader from Finland, to develop eco-friendly plastics.

Stora Enso is a renowned manufacturer of biocomposite products and packaging with the technology to convert plant-based raw materials into chemical raw materials for plastics.

The two companies will focus on creating polyethylene furanoate (PEF) products, which are next-generation bioplastics. Leveraging Kolon Industries' polymer plastics manufacturing and processing technology and Stora Enso's raw material development capabilities, they aim to produce 100% natural and environmentally friendly plastic.

PEF is made from plant-based raw materials and boasts superior hardness, heat resistance and gas barrier properties compared to polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a common petrochemical plastic. It has the potential to replace existing beverage bottles and food packaging.

Kolon plans to streamline the commercialization of PEF by optimizing the raw material supply chain. Upon mass production, it is expected to reduce carbon emissions by over 50% in comparison to existing PET.

"Through this agreement, we are building a stronger foundation for the bioplastic ecosystem. We will continue to expand the development of technologies for resource recycling," said Han Sung-soo, head of the Future Technology Institute at Kolon Industries.

Write to Jae-Fu Kim at hu@hankyung.com