The South Chungcheong Province government signed a memorandum of understanding on December 11 at the provincial office with HD Hyundai Oilbank, Hanwha TotalEnergies, and four cities – Cheonan, Asan, Seosan, and Dangjin – to implement high-quality recycling of waste vinyl. (Image courtesy of South Chungcheong Province)
HONGSEONG, Dec. 12 (Korea Bizwire) – In a significant environmental initiative, waste vinyl that is typically incinerated will soon be transformed into high-quality resources, including aviation fuel.
The South Chungcheong Province government signed a memorandum of understanding on December 11 at the provincial office with HD Hyundai Oilbank, Hanwha TotalEnergies, and four cities – Cheonan, Asan, Seosan, and Dangjin – to implement high-quality recycling of waste vinyl.
As environmental regulations tighten both domestically and internationally, oil refineries are desperately seeking renewable raw materials. However, most waste vinyl, which can be converted into pyrolysis oil, is currently being incinerated.
To address this, South Chungcheong Province plans to chemically recycle incinerated waste vinyl into raw material resources.
Under the pilot program, the four participating cities will collect separately disposed waste vinyl from households. Recycling companies will then convert this waste into pyrolysis oil, which HD Hyundai Oilbank and Hanwha TotalEnergies will use to produce naphtha and aviation fuel.
The province plans to expand the pilot program, which begins next year, to all cities and counties in the region by 2026, eventually developing it into a nationwide model.
The provincial government has committed to providing administrative and financial support to ensure smooth vinyl waste separation, collection, and recycling processes. The four cities will guide citizens on waste vinyl separation policies and support related costs to promote recycling.
HD Hyundai Oilbank and Hanwha TotalEnergies will establish pyrolysis oil production infrastructure and provide technical support to recycling companies.
Pyrolysis is a technology that produces oil and gas by indirectly heating waste plastic (vinyl) under oxygen-free conditions. This technology is expected to emit fewer air pollutants and greenhouse gases compared to incineration.
From January to August, the four participating cities collected 2,826 tons of waste vinyl through their public sorting centers. Of this amount, 2,540 tons were converted into solid refuse fuel (SRF) and incinerated in cement factories for thermal energy.
At the signing ceremony, the province also announced its strategy for reducing plastic waste. The plan sets targets including a 30% reduction in plastic waste generation, achieving an 85% recycling rate for waste plastics, and limiting final disposal to 15%. The province has established customized circular economy directions for urban, rural, and marine areas.
South Chungcheong Governor Kim Tae-heum remarked, “We are determined to set up an effective system for separating and processing waste vinyl, transforming it into a valuable resource rather than allowing it to go to waste.”
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
