- Earned RecyClass certification across the entire end-of-life vehicle (ELV) plastics recycling value chain, a first for an Asian company
- Verified quality, traceability, and transparency of recycled materials to strengthen market confidence
- Positioned to stay ahead of European environmental regulations while strengthening global competitiveness in low-carbon business
GS Caltex (CEO Saehong Hur) announced on October 24 that it has become the first company in Asia to obtain the global environmental certification, RecyClass, for the entire recycling value chain of plastics sourced from end-of-life vehicles (ELVs).
The certification was formally presented during the commemorative ceremony held at GS Tower in Seoul. In attendance were Sungwoo Hur, Head of the Chemical & Lube Division at GS Caltex; Dirk Teichert, Asia Regional Director at Control Union; and Sanghak Han, Advisor at Eco G&R.
RecyClass serves as a key credential for meeting environmental regulations in Europe, including mandates on the use of recycled materials and the plastics tax. Its recognized credibility also allows certified products to receive tax incentives in some countries, including Spain. As of September 2025, more than 60% of Europe’s recycling industry uses the RecyClass system, which the Circular Plastics Alliance (CPA) has adopted as its official auditing framework.
The certification confirms that GS Caltex’s entire ELV plastics recycling process —from producing recycled feedstock to manufacturing and selling composite resins— meets strict standards for quality, traceability, and transparency. Since 2022, the company has been developing recycling technologies and process-control systems to turn low-value waste plastics, previously destined for incineration or landfills, into high-quality materials. This year’s RecyClass certification, and the international recognition it signifies, underscore GS Caltex’s strengthened competitiveness in the mechanical recycling (MR) business.
Discussions are underway toward requiring new vehicles to use a certain proportion of recycled plastics, with a set percentage sourced from ELVs, while several countries have already implemented plastic taxes linked to recycled content requirements. As a result, securing a stable supply of verified, high-quality recycled plastics has become a strategic priority for global automakers. Prophecy Market Insights (PMI) projects that the global market for automotive recycled plastics will grow from USD 49.6 billion in 2024 to USD 96.0 billion in 2034, representing an average annual growth rate of 7.5%.
Against this backdrop, GS Caltex is now equipped to respond proactively to stricter environmental regulations in Europe, serve the growing global market for recycled materials, and reinforce international confidence in its recycled composite resin products. The company will build on this foundation by expanding collaboration with global OEMs and strengthening its competitiveness in overseas markets where demand for high-quality recycled materials continues to rise. It also plans to broaden its certified portfolio beyond ELV plastics to include household waste plastics and waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE), bolstering its position in low-carbon, circular material businesses.
Sungwoo Hur, Head of the Chemical & Lube Division at GS Caltex, said, “This certification is a meaningful achievement, as it is the first time an Asian company has been officially recognized for meeting industry standards across the entire value chain for ELV-derived recycled materials.” He added, “We will continue to deliver high-quality products that enable sustainable growth alongside our customers, while leading the transition toward a global circular economy.”
