The Polymer Society of Korea

Abstract

The development of Chemically Recycled Polybutylene Terephthalate by SK Chemicals is driven by the automotive industry's need for environmentally friendly materials in compliance with End-of-Life Vehicle regulations. Utilizing glycolysis-based depolymerization technology, CR-PBT is synthesized from rDMT or rBHET derived from waste PET bottles and textiles. CR-PBT achieves mechanical and thermal properties comparable to virgin PBT. CR-PBT can serve as a 1:1 substitute for virgin PBT in various applications, including automotive headlamp bezels, mobile phone components, connectors, cosmetic packaging, sewing threads, ultra-fine bristles, and covered yarns. Unlike MR-PBT, which suffers from impurities and property degradation, CR-PBT exhibits lower foreign matters and more stable coloration. Notably, CR-PBT has successfully passed high-temperature and high-humidity hydrolysis evaluations for automotive motor housing applications, a feat unattainable with MR-PBT.