City Oil Field wins triple certification, cleared to export circular plastic oil to EU

City Oil Field announced Wednesday that it has obtained three major certifications, paving the way for exports of its proprietary facilities and circular plastic oil to the European Union and other international markets beginning in October.

The Wave Jeongeup facility / Courtesy of City Oil Field

The company successfully completed the ISCC PLUS international certification, a process safety management (PSM) audit by the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency, and an inspection by Korea Testing Laboratory (KTL) between Feb. 28 and Sept. 23. According to the company, these approvals collectively verify its compliance with global supply chain standards, operational safety and quality requirements.

With these validations complete, the Wave Jeongeup facility in Jeongeup, North Jeolla Province, is set to begin official operations in October. The plant has the capacity to process over 7,000 tons of plastic waste annually, converting them into circular plastic oil that is comparable in quality to virgin naphtha.

Korea, which lacks domestic crude reserves, will now operate its first commercial plant producing circular plastic oil from plastic waste. The Jeongeup facility is expected to serve as a flagship model for international circular economy infrastructure.

City Oil Field’s proprietary catalytic, wave-based noncombustion technology prevents the release of toxic byproducts like dioxins and furans, which are common risks in conventional combustion methods. The company said the process minimizes environmental hazards, complies with global regulatory standards and supports carbon neutrality.

In March, the company signed a contract to export circular plastic oil from the Jeongeup facility to Vietnam for $2 per liter. With ISCC PLUS certification, the oil now meets the standards required by multinational chemical companies such as BASF, INEOS, SABIC and LyondellBasell, as well as consumer goods manufacturers like Unilever and Nestlé, which only source certified products.

“It proves that City Oil Field’s technology is recognized at home and abroad as an eco-friendly, sustainable solution,” CEO Jung Young-hoon said.

“This shows that while Korea may have entered later, it can now lead the global circular plastic oil market. Our company is set to become a key global reference in the circular plastics economy.”

The certifications mark the first time Korean-produced circular plastic oil has met EU export requirements. A major European corporation is currently in discussions with City Oil Field regarding sample purchases and on-site inspections at the Jeongeup facility.

By obtaining ISCC PLUS, KTL and PSM certifications, the company said it has secured technical, legal and market credibility, laying the foundation for stable operations and enhanced competitiveness in the global market.