Advancing Sustainable Automotive Materials: SK chemicals and Hyundai Collaborate

SK chemicals and Hyundai·Kia are driving sustainability in the automotive sector through innovative recycling technology. By incorporating circular and bio-based materials into Kia's EV3 Study Car, the collaboration paves the way for a more eco-friendly vehicle production model.

SK chemicals, in partnership with Hyundai·Kia's AVP Division and Basic Materials Research Center, successfully applied six components made from circularly recycled and bio-based materials in the EV3 Study Car. This project marks a significant step in integrating recycled PET and bio-based alternatives into vehicle manufacturing.

The EV3 Study Car demonstrates the potential of using recycled PET in automotive components. SK chemicals provided five key parts using this sustainable material:

• Headliner
• Seats
• Crash pads
• Door panels
• Door armrests

Additionally, SK chemicals introduced its FLEXIA soft material in the vehicle’s floor mat, ensuring a single polyester composition that facilitates end-of-life recycling.

SK chemicals utilizes a proprietary chemical recycling method, known as depolymerization, to break down waste plastic into molecular units. This process enables the production of materials nearly identical in quality to virgin petroleum-based plastics. As the first company to successfully commercialize this technology, SK chemicals leads the industry in scalable, high-performance circular recycling.

Recycling fibers for automotive use presents technical challenges, particularly in achieving durability, color consistency, and spinning efficiency. By leveraging its chemical recycling expertise, SK chemicals overcame these limitations, ensuring that the recycled materials in the EV3 Study Car meet stringent performance requirements.

The project, spanning 14 months, highlights the necessity of cross-industry partnerships to drive sustainability. Kang Seok-ho, Head of SK chemicals' Strategy Center, stated:

"Achieving the ultimate goal of sustainable automobiles, the Car-to-Car Closed Loop, requires comprehensive collaboration not only with automakers but also with materials and component companies."

Going forward, SK chemicals and Hyundai·Kia plan to expand their collaboration to integrate eco-friendly materials into a broader range of vehicles, as well as explore applications in industries like fashion and electronics.