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- "Full compatibility" verified with PET bottle recycling streams, proving recyclability from the material design stage
SK chemicals' plastic materials have secured verification of their compatibility as feedstock for recycling processes in Europe.
SEOUL, South Korea, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SK chemicals announced on May 26 that its copolyester ECOTRIA CLARO and its PET-based SKYPET product family have been recognized by RecyClass, a European recycling assessment body, as recyclable within the PET recycling stream.
RecyClass is a non-profit, cross-industry initiative established to advance the circular economy for plastics in Europe. It operates a structured framework to evaluate and certify the recyclability of plastic materials in accordance with evaluation protocols and design guidelines.
In line with the RecyClass framework, SK chemicals obtained the Technology Approval (TA), an assessment that verifies whether a material, when introduced into actual recycling processes, can be reliably used as recycled feedstock without disrupting existing operations. The TA serves as a key benchmark for assessing a material's compatibility with the recycling process when used as feedstock for post-consumer recycled plastics. Materials whose compatibility with recycling processes has not been verified can cause process disruptions or quality degradation, potentially impeding actual recycling.
With this outcome, SK chemicals has secured authoritative verification of the value of its diverse polyester portfolio as recycling feedstock, spanning from copolyesters to PET and from recycled to virgin materials. While recycled materials are commonly evaluated by whether and to what extent they contain recycled feedstock reprocessed from waste plastics, the industry also regards the question of whether discarded waste plastics can themselves be processed back into feedstock as an equally critical measure of recyclability.
For example, even if a material contains 100% recycled PET, it cannot contribute to a continuous circular structure if it fails to be recycled again after use due to process-related issues, ultimately ending up discarded or landfilled. For this reason, experts emphasize that building a sustainable recycling ecosystem requires materials to satisfy two conditions: incorporating recycled content (Recycled) and being recyclable themselves (Recyclable).
Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals, said, "This verification is an official endorsement of our materials' circularity as feedstock, which represents one pillar of the complete circular structure we are building. To establish a sustainable circular economy, we will continue to accumulate technical expertise in recycling and strengthen our competitiveness across the entire process, from feedstock to commercialization, while expanding collaboration with European customers and other stakeholders."
The seven products that received the assessment include five copolyester products in the ECOTRIA CLARO family and two products in the general-purpose SKYPET family. The five ECOTRIA CLARO products, namely ECOTRIA CLARO 100, ECOTRIA CLARO 200, ECOTRIA CLARO 300, ECOTRIA CLARO 100 CR50N, and ECOTRIA CLARO 200 CR50N, received the Full Compatible grade, indicating they can be recycled together within the PET recycling process without any restrictions across the entire workflow. The two SKYPET products, SKYPET BR and SKYPET BR-V, received the Limited Compatible grade, meaning they can be recycled under specific process conditions.
Earlier, last year, SK chemicals had secured the highest Class A rating from RecyClass through its Letter of Compatibility (LoC) for a PET bottle made with SKYPET CR, its circular-recycled PET. This assessment evaluates whether a container's structural design is compatible with existing recycling processes and serves as a benchmark for determining whether the container can be processed without issues during actual recycling. The bottle incorporated SKYPET CR BB and SKYPET CR BL.
- "Full compatibility" verified with PET bottle recycling streams, proving recyclability from the material design stage
SK chemicals' plastic materials have secured verification of their compatibility as feedstock for recycling processes in Europe.
SEOUL, South Korea, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SK chemicals announced on May 26 that its copolyester ECOTRIA CLARO and its PET-based SKYPET product family have been recognized by RecyClass, a European recycling assessment body, as recyclable within the PET recycling stream.
RecyClass is a non-profit, cross-industry initiative established to advance the circular economy for plastics in Europe. It operates a structured framework to evaluate and certify the recyclability of plastic materials in accordance with evaluation protocols and design guidelines.
In line with the RecyClass framework, SK chemicals obtained the Technology Approval (TA), an assessment that verifies whether a material, when introduced into actual recycling processes, can be reliably used as recycled feedstock without disrupting existing operations. The TA serves as a key benchmark for assessing a material's compatibility with the recycling process when used as feedstock for post-consumer recycled plastics. Materials whose compatibility with recycling processes has not been verified can cause process disruptions or quality degradation, potentially impeding actual recycling.
With this outcome, SK chemicals has secured authoritative verification of the value of its diverse polyester portfolio as recycling feedstock, spanning from copolyesters to PET and from recycled to virgin materials. While recycled materials are commonly evaluated by whether and to what extent they contain recycled feedstock reprocessed from waste plastics, the industry also regards the question of whether discarded waste plastics can themselves be processed back into feedstock as an equally critical measure of recyclability.
For example, even if a material contains 100% recycled PET, it cannot contribute to a continuous circular structure if it fails to be recycled again after use due to process-related issues, ultimately ending up discarded or landfilled. For this reason, experts emphasize that building a sustainable recycling ecosystem requires materials to satisfy two conditions: incorporating recycled content (Recycled) and being recyclable themselves (Recyclable).
Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals, said, "This verification is an official endorsement of our materials' circularity as feedstock, which represents one pillar of the complete circular structure we are building. To establish a sustainable circular economy, we will continue to accumulate technical expertise in recycling and strengthen our competitiveness across the entire process, from feedstock to commercialization, while expanding collaboration with European customers and other stakeholders."
The seven products that received the assessment include five copolyester products in the ECOTRIA CLARO family and two products in the general-purpose SKYPET family. The five ECOTRIA CLARO products, namely ECOTRIA CLARO 100, ECOTRIA CLARO 200, ECOTRIA CLARO 300, ECOTRIA CLARO 100 CR50N, and ECOTRIA CLARO 200 CR50N, received the Full Compatible grade, indicating they can be recycled together within the PET recycling process without any restrictions across the entire workflow. The two SKYPET products, SKYPET BR and SKYPET BR-V, received the Limited Compatible grade, meaning they can be recycled under specific process conditions.
Earlier, last year, SK chemicals had secured the highest Class A rating from RecyClass through its Letter of Compatibility (LoC) for a PET bottle made with SKYPET CR, its circular-recycled PET. This assessment evaluates whether a container's structural design is compatible with existing recycling processes and serves as a benchmark for determining whether the container can be processed without issues during actual recycling. The bottle incorporated SKYPET CR BB and SKYPET CR BL.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
SK chemicals' Seven Plastic Materials Confirmed Compatible with European Recycling Processes
The region's most authoritative marketer-judged awards programme returns, recognizing outstanding agency, brand, and leadership excellence across Asia Pacific
HONG KONG, May 26, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Campaign Asia-Pacific, Haymarket Media Asia's industry-leading marcomms title, today announced that nominations for the 2026 Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards will open on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
Recognised as the most prestigious and trusted benchmark for marketing communications excellence in Asia-Pacific, the Awards celebrate outstanding work across agencies, brands, and leaders who have delivered measurable impact, innovation, and growth in an increasingly competitive and evolving industry.
The industry benchmark for credibility and trust
Since its inception in the early 1990s, Campaign's Agency of the Year Awards has remained the region's definitive standard for recognising agency excellence. It is widely regarded by both client marketers and agencies as the most credible validation of performance and impact in the industry.
What sets the programme apart is its fully marketer-led judging process. Senior client-side marketers from across Asia-Pacific are appointed to evaluate entries based on strategic effectiveness, creativity, and business results - ensuring a rigorous, impartial, and commercially grounded assessment.
Further strengthening governance and transparency is the appointment of SCS-Invictus Group as Process Integrity Partner for the 2026 Awards to independently verify all results.
Recognising excellence across a changing industry
Agency of the Year celebrates excellence across both network and independent agencies, recognising outstanding work in local markets while also highlighting regional achievement.
Spanning six sub-regions across Asia-Pacific: Australia/New Zealand, Greater China, Japan/Korea, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and APAC, the programme covers 22 local markets. Entries are open across three core pillars: Agency, People, and Brand.
APAC categories recognise leaders and teams operating across multiple markets, highlighting excellence in cross-border strategy, leadership, and regional business impact.
Campaign's Agency of the Year initiative provides winning agencies with the opportunity to gain recognition beyond their home markets, strengthening both regional visibility and local credibility. The beauty of the programme is that it gives agencies the opportunity to compete within their local market, with the chance to be recognised on the regional (and global) stage.
All Agency, People, and Brand categories are open to both network and independent agencies, recognising excellence across the full breadth of the industry.
The Independent Agency category is the only dedicated stream exclusively for independent agencies, providing a platform to showcase market-level excellence while contributing towards broader regional recognition.
New categories reflecting the industry's digital and AI transformation
The 2026 edition introduces new categories that reflect the increasing impact of AI, marketing technology, and innovation in shaping the future of the marketing and communications industry across Asia-Pacific.
Developed following consultation with the industry, these new categories spotlight organisations and teams that are pushing boundaries in AI adoption, marketing technology, and innovation excellence.
New Agency Categories
- Agency AI Excellence of the Year
- MarTech Agency of the Year
New People Category
- Most Innovative MarTech Team of the Year
"At a time when the industry is being reshaped by change at every level, Campaign's Agency of the Year Awards continue to represent the most trusted measure of success," says says Atifa Silk, managing director of Haymarket Media Asia. "This is not an award decided by peers within the same competitive set; it is judged by senior marketers who understand what effectiveness truly means for business outcomes,"
"That independence is what makes it the benchmark for the industry," she adds. "We encourage agencies, brands, and leaders across Asia-Pacific to put forward their best work, teams and people to be recognised for the impact they have made in a year defined by both challenge and opportunity."
Key Dates for 2026
| Milestone | Date |
| Nomination Open | Tuesday, 9 June |
| Early Bird Entry Deadline | Tuesday, 30 June |
| Standard Entry Deadline | Thursday, 30 July |
| Final Entry Deadline | Friday, 4 September |
| Judging Period | 17 September – 26 October |
| Shortlist Announcement | Wednesday, 28 October |
Milestone
Date
Nomination Open
Tuesday, 9 June
Early Bird Entry Deadline
Tuesday, 30 June
Standard Entry Deadline
Thursday, 30 July
Final Entry Deadline
Friday, 4 September
Judging Period
17 September – 26 October
Shortlist Announcement
Wednesday, 28 October
Awards Ceremonies
| Location | Date |
| Tokyo, Japan | Wednesday, 25 November |
| Mumbai, India | Thursday, 26 November |
| Shanghai, China | Tuesday, 1 December |
| Singapore | Tuesday, 8 December |
Location
Date
Tokyo, Japan
Wednesday, 25 November
Mumbai, India
Thursday, 26 November
Shanghai, China
Tuesday, 1 December
Singapore
Tuesday, 8 December
Register your interest: https://bit.ly/AOY2026-register
For more information, visit: aoyawards.com
Past winners: aoyawards.com/winners
Enquiries: aoy@haymarket.asia
Campaign Asia-Pacific is pleased to announce PR Newswire as the official media partner for the 2026 Agency of the Year Awards.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Danika Wong
danika.wong@haymarket.asia
Senior Marketing Manager
Haymarket Media Limited
Agency of the Year Awards
Since the 1990s, Campaign Asia's Agency of the Year Awards has been Asia-Pacific's most trusted benchmark for marketing excellence. The Awards are judged exclusively by senior client-side marketers, independently verified by SCS-Invictus Group, and recognize outstanding achievements across agencies, people, and brands across five regional markets.
www.aoyawards.com
SCS-Invictus Group
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Singapore, SCS-Invictus Group is a global professional services firm with offices in over 20 locations worldwide. Specialising in accounting, tax, advisory, and assurance services, the group brings together more than 500 professionals across APAC, EMEA, and North America.
With strong local market presence and cross-border expertise, SCS-Invictus Group supports clients in navigating financial, tax, and regulatory complexities through practical, commercially focused solutions aligned to their strategic and operational needs. Its professionals bring extensive industry experience, including backgrounds from the Big Four, global consultancies, and leading financial institutions, enabling a strong understanding of clients' organisations, operating models, and market environments.
www.scsinvictus.com
Campaign Asia-Pacific
Campaign Asia-Pacific delivers unparalleled insights into the ideas, work, and people shaping the marketing communications industry. By fostering open, honest dialogue and showcasing game-changing innovation, the platform has become an indispensable resource for marketing professionals across the region and beyond.
www.campaignasia.com
Haymarket Media Group
Haymarket Media Group is a global media, information, and technology company with more than 70 market-leading brands and operations across key markets including the UK, US, Hong Kong, Singapore, and India. As the parent company of Campaign Asia-Pacific, Haymarket is dedicated to delivering specialist content, insights, and experiences that connect professional communities worldwide.
www.haymarket.com
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Campaign Asia Agency of the Year Awards 2026 Open for Nominations on 9 June
