Dongkuk Coated Metal Co. (Dongkuk CM), a cold-rolled steel subsidiary of South Korea’s Dongkuk Holdings Co., has introduced the world’s first biodegradable protective film for color-coated steel sheets, branded as “DK-BDF” (Dongkuk-Biodegradable Film). The eco-friendly film decomposes naturally into harmless substances under typical environmental conditions.
The breakthrough was achieved through a year of collaborative research with KB Chem Co. (also referred to as National Treasure Chemical), a specialist in film coating. Microorganisms in the DK-BDF film cause it to degrade at room temperature, and the decomposition period can be tailored from six months to five years, depending on the application of the color-coated steel plates by adjusting microorganism content.
According to Dongkuk CM, the DK-BDF film maintains both the appearance and functionality of existing products, ensuring that it performs well in applications such as home appliances and architectural uses. The company plans to combine this film technology with the recycled color-coated steel sheets it launched in November last year, under the “Re-Born Green Steel Plate” initiative, further boosting the eco-friendliness of its products.
In addition, Dongkuk CM is working with LG Electronics Inc. to test the application of the biodegradable film in clothes dryers, with production verification set for this month. The company also plans to share the technology with the broader industry after the completion of its short-term agreement with KB Chem, to advance eco-friendly manufacturing in the color steel plate sector.
As part of its DK Color Vision 2030 strategy, Dongkuk CM aims to achieve sustainable global growth, with a target of producing 1 million tons of color steel plates and reaching 2 trillion won in sales by 2030.
<Student Reporter Jayson Park>jaysonpark0809@gmail.com
Jayson Park is a 9th Grade student in Chadwick School
