Ecomass turns sugarcane waste into carbon-reducing products

A view of Ecomass Plant 2, where recycled polyethylene and polypropylene resins are produced. (Lee Ho-joon)

Ecomass Co., a South Korean company that offers climate change solutions, is engaged in efforts to produce eco-friendly products using carbon-reducing materials, with an aim to evolve into a climate tech specialist, according to its Chief Executive Officer Han Seung-gil.

During a recent interview with Maeil Business Newspaper, Han shared his vision of stepping up efforts to address climate change.

Founded in 2008, Ecomass produces a variety of eco-friendly products such as gloves, plastic wrap, zipper bags, hangers, and cups, using materials like biomass and recycled resin.

These products are supplied to major retailers, including Market Kurly, Starbucks, Coupang, and Emart.

Currently, one of Ecomass’s key product lines includes office paper and cardboard boxes made from non-wood sugarcane pulp.

Unlike traditional paper, which is produced from tree pulp through energy-intensive processes, sugarcane-based paper is made from agricultural waste.

Han highlighted the environmental benefits of this innovation, saying that “sugarcane paper offers the same quality as conventional paper while reducing carbon emissions by 52 percent.”

Ecomass is also actively involved in the Forest Carbon Offset program, managed by Korea Forest Service.

The company manages 76 hectares of forest land in Imsil, North Jeolla Province, and Jecheon, North Chungcheong Province, contributing to environmental conservation efforts.