Hanwha Solutions announced on February 28 that the company acquired Global Recycled Standard (GRS) certification for its recycled polyethylene (rPE) materials. This achievement will create a path for Hanwha Solutions to earnestly expand its eco-friendly materials supply.

GRS, granted by global certification authority Control Union, is a strict certification system that requires compliance with not only environmental and chemical standards, including a composition of 20% or more recycled materials with a traceable usage history, but also social standards that address labor and human rights. It is recognized as the most credible certification among the various eco-friendly certifications required by global consumer goods companies.

Hanwha Solutions’ GRS certification covers all stages of the rPE supply chain, including suppliers in production, processing and distribution, and exhibits close cooperation with all companies involved to ensure a sustainable and eco-friendly process. This certification follows another reputable eco-friendly achievement, International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS, granted to Hanwha Solutions in September of last year, further representing the company’s continuous commitment to building a circular economy.

To play an active role in responding to the uptick in demand for eco-friendly products, Hanwha Solutions plans to increase the internal use of its rPE-based industrial recycled packaging bags, which began production last year. By 2030, the company intends to convert 80% of the industrial packaging bags used for its products, such as EVA, a high-elastic chemical material, into packaging bags made from rPE. In addition, Hanwha Solutions will strengthen cooperation with consumer goods companies, having signed a three-party MOU for commercializing eco-friendly cosmetics containers made from waste plastic. Hanwha Solutions plans to diversify rPE application to include a range of products, aiming to increase its annual supply of rPE to 10,000 metric tons by 2027.

“Hanwha Solutions’ acquisition of GRS certification recognizes both the eco-friendliness of rPE-based products and its ability to reduce the use of new plastics,” said Jae-sik Won, head of Hanwha Solutions’ Polyolefin (PO) business division. “We will develop various renewable feedstocks and expand product applications to reinforce ESG management and contribute to growing a circular economy.”