Samyang to make EV part from recycled fishing nets

South Korean chemical and food company Samyang Corp. has begun developing eco-friendly and lightweight parts for electric vehicles (EV) by expanding its use of plastic made from recycling waste fishing nets.

The Samyang Group affiliate on Wednesday said it signed the day before a memorandum of understanding with composite material specialist Hankuk Fiber on joint development of eco-friendly lightweight battery pack cases for EVs at Samyang Corp. headquarters in Seoul.

Under the MOU, Samyang will supply plastic compounds, or products with improved physical properties by mixing additives, made from recycled fishing nets to Hankuk Fiber, which will use them to develop the cases.

The cases are considered a key component that covers the battery module of an EV and protects the battery from external shocks. Lightweight and strong materials are essential to lighten the vehicle body while protecting it from heat and impact.

Samyang's plastic compounds made with materials from recycled fishing nets overcome the flaws of recycled plastic, which has poor physical properties, through compounding technology to ensure the same performance level as general plastic.

Through their joint development, both companies plan to preemptively secure advanced technology for reducing a vehicle's body weight, which poses the biggest dilemma on the EV market, for achieving carbon neutrality and a circular economy.

Write to Mi-Sun Kang at misunny@hankyung.com