GS Caltex has become the first company in Asia to secure RecyClass certification for its end-of-life vehicle (ELV) plastics recycling value chain, as reported by The Korea Herald. 

RecyClass, a European scheme, evaluates both the recyclability and traceability of plastic materials and is recognised by the Circular Plastics Alliance as an official audit framework.  

By 2025, the system is expected to cover more than 60% of the European plastics recycling sector and is widely referenced as an international benchmark for circular plastics. 

The certification verifies that GS Caltex complies with global criteria for quality, traceability and transparency across its entire ELV plastics recycling process.  

This covers the sourcing of discarded automotive plastics through to the production and sale of composite resins.

Since 2022, the company has been working on technologies to turn low-value plastic waste, which would otherwise be incinerated or landfilled, into higher-performance materials.  

GS Caltex states that the certification underpins its position in the physical recycling market at a time of increasingly stringent environmental rules worldwide. 

The company also intends to grow its low-carbon materials portfolio by seeking RecyClass certification for additional waste streams, including commonly used everyday materials. 

GS Caltex executive vice-president Huh Sung-woo told the publication: “This certification is a meaningful achievement, marking the first time an Asian company has been recognised for meeting official standards across the entire waste-vehicle recycling value chain. We will continue to help build a circular economy ecosystem by ensuring a stable supply of high-quality products.” 

In November 2025, Coveris’ Winsford site secured the RecyClass Recycling Process Certificate and the RecyClass Recycled Plastics Traceability Certificate at Level 2. 

The certifications are effective and confirm that the site met all mandatory and optional audit criteria. 

In September 2025, UPM Adhesive Materials announced that its releasable general-purpose RW85C adhesive has been certified by RecyClass. 

This certification highlights the adhesive’s compatibility with recycling processes for both high-density polyethylene containers and polyethylene terephthalate bottles.