Performance in responding to international environmental regulations with Unimaterial packaging materials
Target for export of eco-pleasant packaging materials to 50 billion won by 2026
Realization of differentiation in eco-friendly technology
Dongwon Systems received the minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award in recognition of its eco-friendly technology. Dongwon Systems announced that it was selected as an ‘excellent company in response to international environmental regulations’ at the ‘2024 Korea Circular Economy Festival’ held at the COEX Magok Convention Centre in Gangseo-gu, Seoul on the 4th.
This award is the result of Dongwon Systems being recognized for its contribution to expanding exports in the global market by developing recyclable polyethylene (PE)-based ‘Uni-Material’ packaging materials.
The problem with existing packaging materials was that they where difficult to recycle due to their complex multi-layer structures such as plastic, nylon, and aluminum. Dongwon Systems’ uni material is composed of a single material, which reduces the emission of hazardous substances and greatly increases the possibility of recycling.
Dongwon Systems invested 6.5 billion won starting in 2022 and succeeded in developing pet food packaging using Uni material. Last year, we began full-scale exports to North America, and set a goal of expanding the annual export amount of this product to 50 billion won by 2026.
In addition, Dongwon Systems is accelerating the advancement of various eco-friendly packaging materials. Recently, we have developed a ’micro foam film’ that reduces the amount of plastic used and are supplying it to food companies such as Dongwon F&B. In 2019, it launched KoreaS first bio-based biodegradable pouch, ‘Eco-Sobre’, which also attracted attention in overseas markets.
It holds various certifications, including international recycling standard certification (GRS, RCS), U.S. Department of Agriculture bio product certification (USDA),and domestic green technology certification. We have also strengthened our technological capabilities through over 10 patents.
Ki-ho park, Director of Materials Development at Dongwon Systems, said, “This award is the result of recognition of our efforts to proactively respond to changes in global environmental regulations. “We will continue to focus more on developing eco-friendly packaging technology to create a sustainable future.”
Dongwon Systems plans to use this achievement as a stepping stone to further strengthen its position in the global packaging materials market and continue to introduce innovative products that take both the habitat and economy into consideration.
Kim Sang-jun, Donga.com reporter [email protected]
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How is Dongwon Systems aligning itS eco-pleasant initiatives with international environmental regulations?
Interview with Ki-ho Park, Director of Materials Progress at Dongwon Systems
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Ki-ho, and thank you for joining us today. First off,congratulations on receiving the Minister of Trade,Industry,and Energy Award at the 2024 Korea Circular Economy Festival. That’s a important achievement! Could you share with us what this award means for Dongwon Systems?
Ki-ho Park: Thank you so much! This award is not just a recognition of our efforts but also a testament to the importance of sustainability in our industry. It validates our commitment to eco-friendly technologies and innovative practices, particularly in the development of recyclable materials. We believe our successes can inspire other companies to pursue enduring solutions.
Time.news Editor: That’s inspiring to hear. can you elaborate on the innovative ‘Uni-Material’ packaging that you’ve developed? How does it differentiate from traditional packaging materials?
Ki-ho Park: Absolutely! Traditional packaging materials often consist of complex multi-layer structures involving different substances like plastic, nylon, and aluminum. This complexity makes it very challenging to recycle, and it often leads to increased emissions of hazardous waste. Our ‘Uni-Material’ packaging, on the other hand, is composed entirely of a single material—recyclable polyethylene (PE). This simplicity not only promotes recycling but also significantly reduces the emission of harmful substances during the production and disposal processes.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a game-changer for the industry. I understand that you have plans to expand your exports to a target of 50 billion won by 2026.what steps are you taking to achieve this aspiring goal?
ki-ho Park: We started this initiative back in 2022 with a substantial investment of 6.5 billion won to enhance our research and development efforts. Last year, we began exporting our Uni-Material pet food packaging to North America, which marked a triumphant entry into international markets. Along with our current developments, we’re also introducing various eco-friendly packaging solutions, such as our new ‘micro foam film,’ to meet different client needs and further penetrate markets both domestically and internationally.
Time.news Editor: Clearly, there’s a lot of exciting development at Dongwon systems. How do you ensure that your innovations remain aligned with international environmental regulations?
Ki-ho Park: Staying ahead of global environmental regulations is part of our core strategy. We continuously monitor and analyse international policies and standards. Our team has achieved several certifications, including the Global Recycling standard (GRS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture bio-product certification (USDA), and domestic green technology certifications. By doing so, we ensure our products not only comply with current regulations but are also future-proof against upcoming changes.
Time.news Editor: It’s fascinating to see how deeply integrated sustainability is within your operations. You’ve mentioned other innovative products like the ‘Eco-Sobre’ biodegradable pouch. Could you tell us a bit about that and how it has been received in overseas markets?
Ki-ho Park: The ‘Eco-Sobre’ was Korea’s first bio-based biodegradable pouch, and its reception has been extremely positive both locally and internationally.It plays a crucial role in eliminating plastic waste while offering consumers an environmentally-friendly option. The growing demand for sustainable packaging has encouraged us to expand our offerings, and products like the ‘Eco-Sobre’ have certainly paved the way for further innovations.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like Dongwon Systems is setting an extraordinary example for the industry. As a closing thought, what are your aspirations for the future of eco-friendly packaging?
Ki-ho Park: Our primary aspiration is to lead the charge toward a sustainable future by continuing to innovate and develop eco-friendly packaging technologies. We want to encourage not just our company but the entire industry to prioritize sustainability. By doing so, we believe we can significantly reduce environmental impacts and play our part in addressing global challenges such as climate change and plastic pollution.
Time.news Editor: Thank you so much, Ki-ho, for sharing your insights with us today. It’s encouraging to see companies like Dongwon Systems driving change in sustainable practices. We look forward to following your progress!
ki-ho Park: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure discussing our initiatives, and I appreciate your support in spreading awareness about sustainable practices.