SK Chemicals (Seoul / South Korea; www.skchemicals.com) has introduced grades of its “Ecotria” copolyesters containing up to 70% post-consumer material versus the 30% in versions introduced last year (see Plasteurope.com of 15.06.2020), according to Germany-based Biesterfeld (Hamburg; www.biesterfeld.com), which distributes the company’s materials in EMEA and Brazil.

Ecotria products are said to offer high transparency, especially in thick-walled parts, and good chemical resistance. The PCR component is made entirely from recycled PET bottles and, along with other copolyester material with recyclate from SK Chemicals, meets the European Commission’s resin identification standards for PET, Biesterfeld said. The current products use mechanically recycled materials, and the Korean resin maker plans to introduce a grade with chemically reclaimed material in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Wilhelm Postel , business manager at Biesterfeld, said: “Together with our partners we're working hard to offer our customers sustainable solutions for their products. As a long-term and important innovation partner, SK Chemicals plays a key role in these efforts. Our shared goal is to globally expand our partnership and market share for sustainable copolyesters.”