• The first green design project, the AI-based “EUUM” platform… Revitalizing the ecosystem for plastic circulation
• Leading to the expansion of eco-friendly life and shared growth with small and medium-sized enterprises.

The first green design project of the plastic circulating ecosystem platform “EUUM” operated by SK chemicals was born. SK chemicals (CEO Jeon Kwang-hyun) announced on the 6th that they would jointly develop a toothbrush using chemically recycled plastic materials for the first time in Korea with KNK (CEO Kang Ki-tae), a company specializing in toothbrushes. “Chemical Recycling (CR) of plastic” is the process of decomposing waste plastics into molecular units to make plastic materials again, thereby reducing the use of new plastic materials and greenhouse gas emissions. Last year, SK chemicals was the first in the world to commercialize chemically recycled plastic materials. In June of this year, SK chemicals opened a circular ecosystem platform, “EUUM” (www.e-uum.com), that connects material producers, plastic molding companies, and brand owners online, and is working with small and medium-sized domestic manufacturers to develop various containers and products using recycled materials. The company is discovering markets and use cases with the potential for green material conversion, and is proposing SK chemicals’ green materials and design concepts for use. As a result, more than 5,000 people have participated in just three months after its opening, indicating great interest within the industry. This collaboration with KNK is the first example of the “Green Design Project” of the EUUM platform, and it introduced a chemically recycled “ECOTRIA CR” material and proposed a design that enhances the brush’s hygiene of the bristles and usability of the handle. The two companies plan to eliminate the inconvenience of existing eco-friendly toothbrush materials and increase consumer satisfaction and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a design that considers the bathroom environment and usability. KNK, a company specializing in toothbrush manufacturing, was established in 2011 as a subsidiary of BC, a company specializing in dental care materials, and plans to launch the jointly developed toothbrushes in January next year. The domestic toothbrush market generates sales of about KRW 200 billion. KNK CEO Kang Ki-tae said, “We were able to develop new products very quickly with the help of material recommendations and design concept suggestions from the EUUM platform,” and added, “We plan to lead the market by creating our own brand using chemically recycled materials.” Jung Jae-jun, head of SK chemicals’ New Business Development Division said, “Through the EUUM platform, we are focusing on pioneering the value consumption market with companies having expertise in molding and production,” and emphasized, “We will continue to work hard to enhance the plastic recycling ecosystem by providing recycled material expertise to stakeholders in the plastics industry.”


# Photo Description : Concept design of a head-up type toothbrush stand considering consumer convenience and brush hygiene