SK chemicals Secures RecyClass Certification for Recyclable PET Product Lines – SK chemicals recyclable PET materials

SK chemicals’ Plastic Materials Approved for European PET Recycling

SK chemicals has received official recognition in Europe for the recyclability of seven of its plastic materials used in PET recycling streams.

The company announced on May 26 that its copolyester product line, ECOTRIA CLARO, along with products from its PET-based SKYPET family, were verified by RecyClass as compatible with established PET recycling processes in Europe.

What Is RecyClass?

RecyClass is a non-profit initiative created to improve plastic circularity and recycling standards across Europe. The organization evaluates whether plastic materials can move through existing recycling systems without causing operational problems or reducing the quality of recycled plastics.

Its Technology Approval (TA) certification confirms whether a material can be safely reprocessed into recycled feedstock during real-world recycling operations.

This certification is considered an important benchmark in the plastics industry because incompatible materials can interrupt recycling workflows, lower recycled material quality, or prevent plastics from being reused effectively. SK chemicals recyclable PET materials

Seven SK chemicals Products Earn Certification

The newly approved materials include five products from the ECOTRIA CLARO series and two products from the SKYPET family.

ECOTRIA CLARO Products Receiving Full Compatible Grade

The following five materials earned the “Full Compatible” grade, meaning they can be recycled within PET recycling streams without restrictions:

ECOTRIA CLARO 100
ECOTRIA CLARO 200
ECOTRIA CLARO 300
ECOTRIA CLARO 100 CR50N
ECOTRIA CLARO 200 CR50N

SKYPET Products Receiving Limited Compatible Grade

The following two products earned the “Limited Compatible” grade, meaning they can be recycled under specific processing conditions:

SKYPET BR
SKYPET BR-V

Why Recyclability Matters in the Circular Economy

The plastics industry increasingly evaluates materials based on two important sustainability factors:

Whether they contain recycled content
Whether they can be recycled again after use

Industry experts note that even plastics made entirely from recycled materials lose environmental value if they cannot be recycled repeatedly and instead end up in landfills after disposal.

This is why companies developing circular plastic solutions are focusing on both recycled and recyclable material technologies.

SK chemicals said the latest certification validates the recyclability of its broader polyester portfolio, including virgin PET, recycled PET, and copolyester materials.

Previous RecyClass Recognition

Last year, SK chemicals also received RecyClass’ highest Class A rating through a Letter of Compatibility assessment for a PET bottle produced with SKYPET CR, the company’s circular recycled PET material.

That assessment focused on whether the bottle design could pass through existing recycling systems without causing disruptions during processing.

The certified bottle included SKYPET CR BB and SKYPET CR BL materials.

CEO Highlights Circular Economy Strategy

Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals, said the latest approval represents official recognition of the company’s efforts to build a complete circular plastics ecosystem.

According to the company, SK chemicals plans to continue strengthening recycling technologies, improving feedstock competitiveness, and expanding partnerships with European customers and industry stakeholders.

Plastic Recycling Boom Drives 7 Positive Industry Shifts