Sejong, May 31 - Ministry of Environment (Minister Han Wha-jin) has partnered with beverage manufacturers and other relevant companies to launch products made from renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles in the first half of this year. This initiative aims to increase demand for renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles. An MOU was signed at the Kensington Hotel in Seoul, with Minister Han Wha-jin and representatives from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), Coca-Cola Korea, Sansu, Maeil Dairies, RM corporation, H2, K-water, and Korea Packaging Recycling Cooperative in attendance. The collaboration is geared towards establishing a transparent PET bottle recycling system.

Four beverage manufacturers, Coca-Cola Korea, Sansu, Maeil Dairies, and K-water, have agreed to launch beverages in PET bottles made from 10% renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles in the first half of this year. They also plan to expand the use and range of products that utilize renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles, taking into account consumer feedback and ensuring the safety of products made from renewable raw materials.

The Ministry and MFDS worked together to create a safe system for using renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles in food packaging. The Ministry of Environment will keep partnering with the food and beverage manufacturing industry to encourage them to use more renewable raw materials in food packaging. The Ministry will also set standards for renewable raw materials for food containers (physical recycling¹) to support recycling companies that use renewable raw materials. 

Minister of Environment Han Wha-jin stated, "The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimsto bring together producers, recycling industries, and the government to promote the use of high quality renewable raw materials sourced from PET bottles." She added, "The Ministry is committed to providing full support to ensure this agreement becomes a leading example of the circular economy."

¹ A process of separation and purification while retaining the chemical structure of plastics and subsequently recycling to produce new plastic products

Contact: Park Yong-beom, Deputy Director

Resource Recycling Division / +82-(0)44-201-7386

Foreign Media Contact: Chun Minjo(Rachel)

+82-(0)44-201-6055 / rachelmchun@korea.kr