● SK chemicals expands the supply of “transparent material for prevention of epidemics” to US and EU
- “COVID-19” increased demand for medical equipment and personal protective equipment in the US and EU
- With FDA-approved safety and the highest level of chemical resistance, it is an ideal material for prevention of epidemicsSK chemicals is expanding the export of materials for epidemic prevention.
SK chemicals (CEO: Jeon Kwang-hyun) made an announcement on the 21st that the company will expand the supply of SKYGREEN (substance: PETG) to the US and EU regions that are experiencing supply shortages of personal protective equipment at emergency relief sites, such as face shields and protection walls, due to the recent COVID-19 outbreak. Shipments have doubled over the same period last year, marking the highest sales ever to the US and EU markets.
The expansion of SK chemicals' supply of SKYGREEN is due to the rapidly escalating COVID-19 outbreak in the US and EU. According to a report by Johns Hopkins University, the number of COVID-19 cases confirmed in the two regions stood at 1.5 million as of the 20th, accounting for 60 percent of the world's confirmed cases. The cumulative death toll has also surpassed 130,000.
While the U.S. and EU governments are strengthening their response to COVID-19, local demand for medical and personal protective equipment is also increasing. In particular, due to the increasing usage of face shields (a critical piece of personal protection equipment along with masks) and protection walls for epidemic prevention, the demand for the transparent material, from which these articles of safety equipment are manufactured, has also soared.
As a response to this situation, SK chemicals is expanding its supply of SKYGREEN, a transparent material used in preventing the spread of epidemics, to manufacturers of personal protective equipment in the US and EU that are struggling from a setback in local supply due to the lack of these mission-critical materials.
When other general-purpose transparent materials with low chemical resistance are used in protection equipment, “cracking” of the equipment and “clouding” may occur due to frequent disinfection and cleaning, which may disrupt epidemic prevention activities.
SKYGREEN, which was successfully commercialized for the second time in the world in 2000 by SK chemicals, is regarded as the most suitable material for personal protective equipment such as face shields and protection walls because of its transparency and proven resistance to harsh chemicals.
Safety is also very important due to the nature of personal protective equipment that comes into direct contact with the human body. SK chemicals’ SKYGREEN (substance: PETG) has been verified by the world's top 3 safety certifications U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), and Japan Hygienic Olefin and Styrene Plastics Association (JHOSPA). Therefore, the material can be applied to products that come into direct contact with skin or food, and the biggest advantage is that there is no fear of Bisphenol-A (BPA) detection.
Due to its safety and chemical resistance, the world's top 10 cosmetic brands such as Johnson & Johnson, Estee Lauder, and L'Oreal have already applied SK chemicals’ PETG to their luxury cosmetic containers.
“SK chemicals has, over many years, developed trusting relationships with numerous customers in the US and EU markets.” said Kim Eung-soo, the head of the copolyester business department at SK chemicals, and he added, “We will devote our best efforts to supply sufficient quantities quickly to help customers who are struggling with COVID-19.”
SK chemicals' SKYGREEN exports to the US and EU increased by more than 40% in March from the previous month. Starting in April, the company is expecting to see an increase of more than 200%.

* Photo description: Face Shield from PLASKOLITE, USA, made of SK chemicals’ PETG