Lotte Chilsung presents Korea’s first 100% recycled PET bottle

2025-10-21 1:52 min Sustainability & Circular Economy

Lotte ChilsungSeoul, South Korea

Mechanically Recycled (MR) PET, remolded from waste plastic by applying heat
A preemptive measure in response to the mandatory 10% use of recycled materials by PET bottle manufacturers with an annual production of over 5,000 tons, starting next January
Improved aesthetics and grip by changing the container design to an angular type featuring an embossed pattern on the bottom

Lotte Chilsung Beverage is launching a 500mL PET bottle of Chilsung Cider, the first carbonated beverage in Korea to be made using 100% recycled plastic.

PET recycling is classified into Mechanically Recycled PET (MR-PET)¹ and Chemically Recycled PET (CR-PET)². The newly introduced 500mL Chilsung Cider PET container is the first carbonated beverage in Korea to be manufactured using 100% recycled plastic raw materials made from Mechanically Recycled PET (MR-PET).

Lotte Chilsung Beverage planned this product to proactively respond ahead of the full implementation of the Ministry of Environment's "Act on the Promotion of Resource Conservation and Recycling." Starting next year, following the amendment of the enforcement decree, manufacturers of bottled water and non-alcoholic beverages that use more than 5,000 tons of PET bottles annually will be required to use at least 10% recycled materials when manufacturing PET bottles.

Lotte Chilsung Beverage expects to reduce annual plastic waste by approximately 2,200 tons (based on 2024 sales volume of 500mL Chilsung Cider) and carbon emissions by about 2,900 tons by using 100% recycled plastic materials in its 500mL Chilsung Cider PET bottles. Through this, the company aims to reduce the environmental impact of landfilling and incineration of waste plastics, contribute to carbon neutrality and climate change response, and strengthen its commitment to ESG management.

In addition, the label and container design of the newly released 500mL Chilsung Cider PET product will be partially changed. The product label features the inscription "100% RECYCLED BOTTLE (Corporate Mark)" to indicate the use of 100% recycled materials. The design incorporates a progressive, angular shape with embossed patterns, replacing the rounded bottom of the previous PET bottle, adding sophistication, while the grip has also been improved to enhance user convenience.

A Lotte Chilsung Beverage official stated, “Since introducing ‘Isis 8.0 ECO’ in January 2020—the first label-free product among domestic bottled water brands—more than 50% of bottled water products distributed domestically are now produced as label-free items.” The official added, “As the production of Chilsung Cider 500mL PET bottles using 100% recycled materials is also a first for domestic carbonated beverages, we hope this pioneering endeavor will become an exemplary model that changes everything.” (End) .

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1) Mechanical Recycling (MR): Converting materials into a usable form, such as raw materials or products, through physical regeneration treatments including crushing, washing, and melting.

2) Chemical Recycling (CR): Converting materials into a usable form, such as raw materials or products, through chemical regeneration treatments involving decomposition and purification via heating or chemical reactions, followed by polymerization.

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www..lottechilsung.co.kr

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