Huvis (CEO Shin You-dong, 079980), specializing in chemical and fiber materials, and HS Hansol (CEO Lee Oh-hee), a provider of textile products, announced on the 2nd of this month that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on technical collaboration on biodegradable banners and waste banner recycling. The signing ceremony was held at Huvis headquarters on the 31st, with the presence of key officials from both companies, including Huvis CEO Shin Yoo-dong and HS Hansol CEO Lee Oh-hee. 

Under this MOU, Huvis will develop biodegradable materials technologies and produce yarn, while HS Hansol will develop eco-friendly banners using Huvis' biodegradable yarn. In addition, HS Hansol will collect waste banners used in Korea and deliver them to Huvis, who will, in turn, develop recycled materials using the collected banners, thereby contributing to the revitalization of the eco-friendly materials industry and the circular economy in Korea.

Banners are the most used type of medium in the domestic print market, but when buried in landfills, they can cause environmental pollution because they do not decompose for a long time, and when incinerated, they cause air pollution. A survey conducted by the Ministry of Environment shows that only about 33% of the 9,000 tons of waste banners from the 2018 local elections were recycled, and only about 24% of the 1,700 tons of waste banners from the 2020 general election were recycled. To address these issues, biomass materials made from sugarcane are being used, but they are vulnerable to high temperature and dyeing processes due to low durability and heat resistance. 

The biodegradable polyester ‘ecoen’ developed by Huvis combines biomass materials and polyester (PET), which has the same properties as conventional PET fibers but biodegrades within three years when buried in landfills. In particular, ecoen has high heat resistance that can withstand coating processes over 160°C and excellent dyeability, making it a prominent material for banners.

Securing original technologies for chemical recycling, Huvis has developed the world's first ‘Chemical Recycle Low Melting Fiber (CR-LMF),’ and based on this, it plans to spur the development of various recycled fibers using waste banners. Chemical recycling is a technology that chemically breaks down PET polymers and re-polymerizes them. Unlike physical recycling, which decreases the quality of the product as repeated, chemical recycling can recycle clothing, film, and waste PET bottles without compromising the quality. 

“As sustainability is not an option anymore, textile materials are also becoming eco-friendly in various fields, with the banner industry witnessing a growing interest in eco-friendly products,” said Huvis CEO Shin You-dong. “We expect that this MOU will help further strengthen our portfolio of eco-friendly high-value products, from biodegradable fibers to chemically recycled fibers.” 

(The end)


[Photo] Huvis CEO Shin Yoo-dong (right) and HS Hansol CEO Lee Oh-hee (left) are having a photo time at the MOU signing ceremony held at Huvis headquarters on 31 October.