[Edaily Reporter Kim Ji-woo ] #LotteChilsungBeverage has expanded the scope of its low-carbon certification to include PET bottles made from recycled materials and even alcoholic beverages. Currently, 12 of the company’s 19 products hold low-carbon certification.

LotteChilsungBeverage announced on the 17th that, as of last August, 19 products from its major brands had received Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) certification from the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute. Among these, 12 products—including ICIS and Cantata—were certified as low-carbon products.

The Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) is a system that quantifies the environmental impact generated throughout a product’s entire lifecycle—from raw material extraction through production, distribution, use, and disposal. Among EPD-certified products, those with carbon emissions lower than the average for their product category or that meet relevant review criteria are granted “low-carbon product” certification.

Last month, LotteChilsungBeverage obtained “Low-Carbon Product” certification for its “Chilsung Cider 500 mL MR-PET,” which uses 100% recycled materials. This marks the first time an MR-PET product made with recycled materials has received Low-Carbon certification.

MR-PET is a mechanical recycling process in which used PET bottles are washed and crushed before being reused as raw material for new PET bottles. The company estimates that this product will reduce carbon emissions generated throughout the entire production process by approximately 17% compared to conventional PET products made from newly produced plastic raw materials.

The scope of low-carbon certification has also been expanded to include alcoholic beverages. LotteChilsungBeverage’s 640-milliliter PET bottles for “Cheumcheomcheong” and “Saero” are currently the only products in the alcoholic beverage industry to hold low-carbon product certification.

Benefits have also been introduced for purchasers of certified products. Among the 10 “Climate Products” selected by the Korea Environmental Industry & Technology Institute from low-carbon certified products—based on factors such as greenhouse gas reduction effects, consumer awareness, and market potential—are the 500 mL PET bottles of Chilsung Cider and the 500 mL PET bottles of Cantata Contrabass Black and Sweet Black.

When consumers use a Green Card to purchase products bearing the Environmental Product Declaration label, they can earn Eco-Money points equivalent to 5% of the purchase price; for low-carbon products, the rate is 15%. Until October 31, the accumulation rate will increase to 40% for purchases of Climate Products at participating locations nationwide, including convenience stores and large supermarkets.

A representative from LotteChilsungBeverage stated, “We will expand environmental certification across a diverse range of product lines and reduce our environmental impact throughout the entire value chain, including raw material production and distribution.”

LotteChilsungBeverage is pursuing initiatives such as expanding renewable energy, fuel transition, and the adoption of electric vehicles with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. Last year, the company reduced greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 6,400 metric tons, and this year’s reduction target is over 10,000 metric tons.