The market for recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) flakes in South Korea is gaining strong traction, driven by an increasingly circular-economy oriented packaging industry, stringent regulatory policies on plastic waste, and rising demand from downstream applications such as textiles, sheet/film, strapping and food-grade containers. rPET flakes are created by collecting used PET bottles and containers, cleaning and processing them into flakes that can then be reused as raw materials in a variety of manufacturing processes.

Market Summary
In South Korea, the rPET flakes segment is moving from niche to mainstream as consumer brands and packaging makers seek sustainable content and cost-efficient raw materials. Clear rPET flakes, in particular, dominate the product mix because of their aesthetic flexibility and suitability for food & beverage packaging, where transparency and purity are valued. Meanwhile, colored flakes and non-food applications are picking up pace as well.

The South Korea recycled PET (rPET) flakes market was valued at USD 439.59 million in 2024 and is expected to register a CAGR of 8.1% from 2025 to 2034. 

𝐃𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐥𝐨𝐚𝐝 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 👉

https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/south-korea-recycled-pet-flakes-market/request-for-sample

Key Market Growth Drivers

1. Regulatory & Policy Support – The South Korean government’s push for a plastic-circular economy, including measures such as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), increased recycling targets, and bans or restrictions on single-use plastics are creating a favourable backdrop for rPET flakes.
2. Brand & Consumer Sustainability Demands – Brands are under pressure to increase recycled content in packaging and demonstrate eco credentials, which creates demand for high-quality rPET flakes suitable for food-grade applications.
3. Strong Recycling Ecosystem & Technology Uptake – South Korea has developed efficient bottle collection, sorting and recycling systems, enabling higher-quality feedstock and thus enabling more usage of rPET flakes in demanding applications rather than only down-cycling.
4. Growing Application Diversity – The use of rPET flakes is widening beyond bottles into textiles, sheet/film, strapping and even durable goods, creating broader demand and helping to improve economies of scale.

Market Challenges

• Feedstock Contamination & Quality Issues – Achieving food-grade rPET requires meticulous cleaning and sorting; contamination (labels, color, other plastics) remains a technical hurdle.
• Competition with Virgin Resin & Price Volatility – When virgin PET resin prices drop or feedstock waste supply is inconsistent, the economic incentive for rPET flakes usage can be challenged.
• Technological Investment & Scale-Up Needs – High-purity rPET flakes production requires advanced equipment (sorting, washing, de-inking) and investment in infrastructure, which can be a barrier for smaller players.
• End-Use Compatibility – Some downstream users are cautious of rPET flakes due to concerns around clarity, color, mechanical properties or regulatory acceptability (especially for food-contact applications).

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https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/press-releases/south-korea-recycled-pet-flakes-market

Regional & Industry Insights

Key industrial recycling clusters exist around major urban and industrial regions, especially where packaging production, beverage bottling and textile manufacturing are concentrated. For example, plants that convert used PET bottles into flakes and even rPET pellets are present in the Gyeonggi-do region. These facilities benefit from proximity to both feedstock (bottle collection) and end-use industries (packaging, textiles).
Textile & fashion segments are significant regional users of rPET flakes, given South Korea’s advanced textile industry and rising interest in recycled-content fabrics. Packaging for food & beverages remains another strong regional focus, especially in clear rPET format, aligning with consumer preferences and regulatory pressures.

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https://www.polarismarketresearch.com/industry-analysis/south-korea-recycled-pet-flakes-market

• Key Companies & Competitive Landscape
  GM Co., Ltd
• Indorama Ventures
• LOTTE Chemical
• Samyang Packaging (Samyang Eco Tech)
• Universal Polychem
• Veolia Korea
• Zhejiang Haili Environmental Technology Co., Ltd

Future Outlook
The South Korea rPET flakes market is expected to continue robust growth in the coming years. Key trends to watch:

• Increasing share of food-grade clear rPET flakes as brands adopt higher recycled content mandates and consumer sustainability awareness rises.
• Expansion of applications into high-value segments such as textile fibers for performance or eco-fashion, and specialty films or strapping where recycled content is a differentiator.
• Technological improvements in sorting, color separation, de-inking and contamination removal enabling better quality rPET flakes at lower cost.
• Exports and cross-border flows may play a role: as South Korea’s domestic collection grows, export of flakes or rPET feedstock may become an opportunity or competitive angle.
• Regulation and standardization will increasingly formalize food-contact approval, recycled content thresholds and traceability, which will benefit suppliers of high-quality rPET flakes.

In summary, the rPET flakes market in South Korea is evolving from volume growth to value creation: not just more flakes, but better quality, more applications, and stronger linkages between bottle collection, recycling and brand usage. Players who can deliver high-purity, consistent rPET flakes and align with brand/packaging demands will be best positioned to capture the opportunities ahead.

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