SK Chemicals has signed a letter of intent with Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) for the cosmetics company to use its recycled materials and recyclable packaging for ELC cosmetics containers.
Through the agreement, SK Chemicals will supply its Ecotria CR chemically recycled plastic material, made from up to 99% recycled plastics, and Skypet CR, also made from recycled materials, to ELC. SK Chemicals will also supply its Ecozen Claro packaging material, which may be recycled. The materials will be implemented in packaging for ELC's many brands, such as Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, Aveda, Clinique, and La Mer.
SK Chemicals and ELC have planned to gradually increase the amount of recycled materials in ELC's beauty product packaging. They also plan to replace other non-recyclable materials currently in Estée Lauder products with designs that incorporate recycled or recyclable materials.
"Through this agreement, we believe positive synergies can be created in both business and environmental aspects as SK chemicals, leading the circular recycling plastic technology, partners with the Estée Lauder Companies, leading the global cosmetics market," said Ahn Jae-hyun, CEO of SK chemicals. "We will continue to work harder to create a sustainable cosmetics container ecosystem."
This partnership follows an agreement made between SK Chemicals and Yonwoo, a major cosmetics container company, to develop and commercialize containers using recycled materials. SK Chemicals reportedly aims to accelerate packaging circularity in the cosmetics container market through these partnerships.
Earlier this year, ELC launched its Responsible Store Design pilot program, which works to reduce waste, conserve water and energy, and source store materials responsibly. As a part of the project, the company collaborated with a sustainability consulting firm to create an evaluation system for efforts made in its new and existing stores. ELC reportedly plans to expand the pilot from its initial six stores to global retail operations.
ELC has taken additional steps towards more sustainable operations, including implementing a manufacturing system meant to reduce waste and create a more efficient production process. The company also announced that it had reached net zero emissions and sourced 100% renewable energy for its direct operations in 2020. Last year, the company created a goal to transition its corporate vehicle fleet to 100% electric vehicles by the end of 2030 and has made additional sustainability commitments.
