Less Plastic for Plastic Free
GMX KOREA has developed plastics using natural degradable materials. This product helps to create a sustainable environment and future of the earth by reducing the use of petroleum-based plastics
It took 70 years for plastics to take over the Earth. It may take several times longer to bring the Earth back to life.
However, since it is almost impossible to get rid of plastics, which have been deep-seated in our lives, we need to develop alternatives to minimize the use of plastics.
Less Plastic for Plastic Free
GMX KOREA has developed plastics using natural degradable materials. This product helps to create a sustainable environment and future of the earth by reducing the use of petroleum-based plastics
It took 70 years for plastics to take over the Earth. It may take several times longer to bring the Earth back to life.
However, since it is almost impossible to get rid of plastics, which have been deep-seated in our lives, we need to develop alternatives to minimize the use of plastics.
The Earth, which is occupied by plastics
Due to its unique convenience and durability, production has exploded since the mass production of plastics in 1950, resulting in a total of 8.3 billion tons of plastics produced for 65 years from 1950 to 2015. 4.9 billion tonnes of plastics, more than half of production, are still floating around the world as garbage.
Global Plastic Production 381,000,000
The Earth, which is occupied by plastics
Due to its unique convenience and durability, production has exploded since the mass production of plastics in 1950, resulting in a total of 8.3 billion tons of plastics produced for 65 years from 1950 to 2015. 4.9 billion tonnes of plastics, more than half of production, are still floating around the world as garbage.
Paradox of Eco-Friendly Products
What we had thought to be eco-friendly may not be eco-friendly if we closely look at them.
Using an eco-bag was thought to protect the environment, but the process for making eco-bags may not be eco-friendly.
Simple LDPE bags – at least one time
Biopolymer bags – at least 42 times
Paper bags – at least 43 times
Non-woven fabric bags – at least 52 times
Organic eco bags –at least 2,000 times
Normal eco Bag –at least 7,100 times
Paradox of Eco-Friendly Products
What we had thought to be eco-friendly may not be eco-friendly if we closely look at them.
Using an eco-bag was thought to protect the environment, but the process for making eco-bags may not be eco-friendly.
Simple LDPE bags – at least one time
Biopolymer bags – at least 42 times
Paper bags – at least 43 times
Non-woven fabric bags – at least 52 times
Organic eco bags –at least 2,000 times
Normal eco Bag –at least 7,100 times
Global Efforts
Companies recognized these problems and began their corporate social responsibility actions. They have taken the lead in environmental protection activities through “ESG management.” The UN Environment Program has recognized that the use of petroleum-based plastics is socially and economically unavoidable right now, but that biodegradation/composting of plastics cannot be the ultimate solution to environmental problems. For this reason, the UNEP has been established a step-by-step roadmap for this purpose.
*What is ESG management? A company takes the lead in environmental protection, engages in social contribution activities including supporting the socially disadvantaged and creating a workplace culture where men and women are equal, and practices ESG management including ethical management that strictly complies with laws and ethics
ESG > Sustainable growth is available : The ESG management is an important standard for evaluating companies in the EU and the US. This is a trend that is diffusing around the world
Global Efforts
Companies recognized these problems and began their corporate social responsibility actions. They have taken the lead in environmental protection activities through “ESG management.” The UN Environment Program has recognized that the use of petroleum-based plastics is socially and economically unavoidable right now, but that biodegradation/composting of plastics cannot be the ultimate solution to environmental problems. For this reason, the UNEP has been established a step-by-step roadmap for this purpose.
*What is ESG management? A company takes the lead in environmental protection, engages in social contribution activities including supporting the socially disadvantaged and creating a workplace culture where men and women are equal, and practices ESG management including ethical management that strictly complies with laws and ethics
ESG > Sustainable growth is available : The ESG management is an important standard for evaluating companies in the EU and the US. This is a trend that is diffusing around the world
Substitution with eco-friendly materials
In order to gradually replace petroleum-based plastics, efforts are being made to replace them with eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable/photodegradable/incinerable materials from the production stage. Among alternative products, our GMX/GEX is in the spotlight as an eco-friendly material that is far superior to other eco-friendly materials in terms of economic efficiency, sustainability, and decomposition conditions.
Petroleum-based, non-degradable plastic material : LDPE, Melamine, PET, ABS, HDPE, PS, PVC, PP
Biodegradable/photodegradable/incinerable material : GMX, GEX, BIO-PE, PLA, PBAT, PBS
Substitution with eco-friendly materials
In order to gradually replace petroleum-based plastics, efforts are being made to replace them with eco-friendly materials such as biodegradable/photodegradable/incinerable materials from the production stage. Among alternative products, our GMX/GEX is in the spotlight as an eco-friendly material that is far superior to other eco-friendly materials in terms of economic efficiency, sustainability, and decomposition conditions.
Petroleum-based, non-degradable plastic material : LDPE, Melamine, PET, ABS, HDPE, PS, PVC, PP
Biodegradable/photodegradable/incinerable material : GMX, GEX, BIO-PE, PLA, PBAT, PBS
What is eco-friendly plastic?
In general, eco-friendly plastics are classified into biomass plastics that have undergone chemical or biological processes using biomass, which is a renewable material including plant resources, as raw materials, and *biodegradable plastic, which is completely decomposed by microorganisms in the ground.
These plastics, made from eco-friendly materials such as PLA, Bio-Pe, PBAT, PBS, GMX, and GEX, can be decomposed under specific conditions or in general natural environments.
In particular, biodegradable resin products are stipulated in the rules of the Ministry of Environment in Korea, and those products that meet these requirements can obtain eco-friendly marks.
EL-724 (biodegradable resin product), which is rules of the Ministry of Environment : 3.5 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation
Conversion to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts, and new biomass under aerobic conditions by microorganisms of organic compounds including polymers
What is eco-friendly plastic?
In general, eco-friendly plastics are classified into biomass plastics that have undergone chemical or biological processes using biomass, which is a renewable material including plant resources, as raw materials, and *biodegradable plastic, which is completely decomposed by microorganisms in the ground.
These plastics, made from eco-friendly materials such as PLA, Bio-Pe, PBAT, PBS, GMX, and GEX, can be decomposed under specific conditions or in general natural environments.
In particular, biodegradable resin products are stipulated in the rules of the Ministry of Environment in Korea, and those products that meet these requirements can obtain eco-friendly marks.
EL-724 (biodegradable resin product), which is rules of the Ministry of Environment : 3.5 Ultimate aerobic biodegradation
Conversion to carbon dioxide, water, inorganic salts, and new biomass under aerobic conditions by microorganisms of organic compounds including polymers
Could biodegradation be the solution?
In the regulations for biodegradable resin products stipulated by the Ministry of Environment, there is a term called “aerobic condition”.
The aerobic condition is a special environmental condition where aerobic microorganisms can decompose organic matters with continuous supply of sufficient oxygen. A specific temperature, concentrations, and others must be provided for the environmental condition. Since these conditions are not natural, a specialized treatment facility is required to decompose biodegradable resin products. This means that the biodegradation of resin products is not natural decomposition.
Aerobic Decomposition 1.Decomposition of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms 2.Oxidation reaction 3.Aerobic microorganisms grows and reproduces only in the presence of oxygen > Treatment in specialized treatment facilities > Biodegradation X
Could biodegradation be the solution?
In the regulations for biodegradable resin products stipulated by the Ministry of Environment, there is a term called “aerobic condition”.
The aerobic condition is a special environmental condition where aerobic microorganisms can decompose organic matters with continuous supply of sufficient oxygen. A specific temperature, concentrations, and others must be provided for the environmental condition. Since these conditions are not natural, a specialized treatment facility is required to decompose biodegradable resin products. This means that the biodegradation of resin products is not natural decomposition.
Aerobic Decomposition 1.Decomposition of organic matter by aerobic microorganisms 2.Oxidation reaction 3.Aerobic microorganisms grows and reproduces only in the presence of oxygen > Treatment in specialized treatment facilities > Biodegradation X
What is PLA (Polylactic Acid)?
Even PLA, which is a representative biodegradable resin, is attracting attention as an eco-friendly material, but it is true that there are still more obstacles to overcome than advantages in terms of technology, economy, and environment.
The eco-label of a product does not guarantee that the product is truly eco-friendly plastic. A truly eco-friendly plastic is plastic that can be decomposed without a special device in a general natural environment.
- Weak price competitiveness – significantly higher than the prices of general petroleum-based plastics currently used
- Induced competition with food production – PLA production depends on global corn production
- Limitations on reuse and recycling – Inappropriately discarded PLA products may contaminate the recycling process
- Biodegradation is available only under certain conditions – PLA only biodegrades in certain commercial facilities under high temperature and humidity conditions.
- Inadequate durability and lifespan - Inadequate heat resistance temperature (about 50 oC) and poor durability in storage and transportation
- Comprehensive environmental benefits in total life cycle - Reduction of use of petroleum-based raw materials
What is PLA (Polylactic Acid)?
Even PLA, which is a representative biodegradable resin, is attracting attention as an eco-friendly material, but it is true that there are still more obstacles to overcome than advantages in terms of technology, economy, and environment.
The eco-label of a product does not guarantee that the product is truly eco-friendly plastic. A truly eco-friendly plastic is plastic that can be decomposed without a special device in a general natural environment.
- Weak price competitiveness – significantly higher than the prices of general petroleum-based plastics currently used
- Induced competition with food production – PLA production depends on global corn production
- Limitations on reuse and recycling – Inappropriately discarded PLA products may contaminate the recycling process
- Biodegradation is available only under certain conditions – PLA only biodegrades in certain commercial facilities under high temperature and humidity conditions.
- Inadequate durability and lifespan - Inadequate heat resistance temperature (about 50 oC) and poor durability in storage and transportation
- Comprehensive environmental benefits in total life cycle - Reduction of use of petroleum-based raw materials
What is GMX?
A chitin-based natural polymer made using oyster shells, which is a waste resource, as the main raw material. This is a natural, non-toxic and sustainable material extracted from oyster shells
Oyster shells, which is a waste resource, are used as the main raw material – economization of resources and recycling of effective resources
Biodegradation of discarded products after use – Implementation of sustainability
- Crushing oyster shells into fine powder
- Adding the company’s proprietary formula
- Extruding products added with marine calcium masterbatch
- Adding a biodegradable GMX additive
Sustainability : Collection of waste oyster shells > GMX production > Production of plastic-mixed products > Disposal after use > Biodegradation of products in their natural state > Generation of oyster shells
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What is GMX?
A chitin-based natural polymer made using oyster shells, which is a waste resource, as the main raw material. This is a natural, non-toxic and sustainable material extracted from oyster shells
Oyster shells, which is a waste resource, are used as the main raw material – economization of resources and recycling of effective resources
Biodegradation of discarded products after use – Implementation of sustainability
- Crushing oyster shells into fine powder
- Adding the company’s proprietary formula
- Extruding products added with marine calcium masterbatch
- Adding a biodegradable GMX additive
Sustainability : Collection of waste oyster shells > GMX production > Production of plastic-mixed products > Disposal after use > Biodegradation of products in their natural state > Generation of oyster shells
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What is GEX?
This is a second-generation natural polymer made from eggshell as the main raw material to achieve a target of “plastic-free”
- 1st generation-GMX product line: Economizations of petroleum-based plastic and greenhouse gas emissions
- 2nd generation-GEX product line: realization of “plastic-free” products, marine calcium extracted from marine organisms, and enzymes extracted from terrestrial animals and plants
- Plastic Free Products
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What is GEX?
This is a second-generation natural polymer made from eggshell as the main raw material to achieve a target of “plastic-free”
- 1st generation-GMX product line: Economizations of petroleum-based plastic and greenhouse gas emissions
- 2nd generation-GEX product line: realization of “plastic-free” products, marine calcium extracted from marine organisms, and enzymes extracted from terrestrial animals and plants
- Plastic Free Products
Learn more
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