SK Discovery : chemicals-NAVER, the first to support SME eco-friendly material (Small and medium-sized enterprises) KNK releases ‘6℃ Eco Toothbrush’

• - The 'Green Empowering Program' begins following the MOU between the two companies… providing support from design and mold production to promotion
• - The first product is a '6℃ Eco Toothbrush,' which uses recycled materials that reduces petrochemical materials by 32%… packaging materials are also eco-friendly
• - It is available at the Smart Store… Sells in the 1784 brand store, and NAVER Shopping supports the promotion
• - The companies will help strengthen ESG-based business competitiveness by supporting various SMEs to convert to eco-friendly materials

SK chemicals (CEO Ahn Jae-hyun) and NAVER Corp. (CEO Choi Soo-yeon) announced that as a result of their first collaboration on the 'Green Empowering Program,' which helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) convert to eco-friendly materials, KNK, a toothbrush manufacturer, has launched the eco-friendly toothbrush '6℃ Eco Toothbrush.'

SK chemicals and NAVER launched the 'Green Empowering Program' after signing an MOU in October last year to build a cooperative model to strengthen partners' ESG capabilities, and they are currently supporting SMEs from converting and introducing eco-friendly materials to mold production and promotion. KNK, which was selected as the first enterprise for the program, started selling the '6℃ Eco Toothbrush' produced through cooperation between the two companies from the 29th at the NAVER Smart Store 'ROV' (https://smartstore.naver.com/rovshop).

The '6℃ Eco Toothbrush', which KNK presented through support from both companies, is a toothbrush made of recycled materials with recycled plastic for its main components. Both the toothbrush head and handle use recycled materials certified by GRS (Global Recycled Standard) to reduce petroleum-based plastic consumption by 32%, and safety was secured by completing tests for harmful substances through SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance), an authorized certification body. In addition, eco-friendly paper and vegetable ink certified by the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) were used for packaging materials. Also, for hygienic toothbrush management, a 6-degree head-up design was applied so that the toothbrush head does not touch the floor, and the six-pointed star-shaped fine bristles were used for effective brushing.

NAVER plans to support full-fledged promotions through NAVER Shopping, such as selling the '6℃ Eco Toothbrush' through the brand store in its second office building, 1784, and presenting the product in a special promotion for 'Earth Day' on April 22.

Kang Ki-tae, president of KNK, said, "There have been many efforts to make eco-friendly toothbrushes, but there have been difficulties due to the absence of high-strength, eco-friendly materials that can be used stably in the hot and humid bathroom environment in Korea" and "It felt like we were being provided with a total solution from NAVER and SK chemicals EUUM Platform, including 'ECOTRIA CR,' which is a chemically recycled material, design concept and mold production support service, distribution, and promotion. It was an opportunity to enhance the company's competitiveness and product competitiveness to the next level in regards to ESG."

Lim Dong-ah, NAVER's PR/ESG policy leader, said, "We could confirm active interest in the introduction of eco-friendly materials as more than 500 smart store entrepreneurs applied for this program." He added, "In the future, together with SK chemicals, we will discover and support smart store entrepreneurs in various fields such as beauty, fashion, and food so that they can continuously present eco-friendly products."

Kim Hyun-seok, head of SK chemicals' Business Development Division, said, "Building a plastic circular ecosystem to protect the Earth's environment requires joint efforts from material companies to end-users." He added, "Together with NAVER, the leading platform company in Korea, and our e-commerce partners, we will strive to expand the use of recycled materials."

Meanwhile, through the Green Empowering Program, NAVER and SK chemicals plan to discover and support various SMEs, starting with KNK, and continue to cooperate in strengthening the ESG capabilities of the two companies and their partners.

■ Glossary

- SGS (Societe Generale de Surveillance): A global inspection, verification, testing, and certification body based in Geneva, Switzerland.