Chemical and life sciences products manufacturer SK chemicals has partnered with cosmetics brand the Estée Lauder Companies (ELC) to enhance sustainability in the cosmetics container market.

The companies signed a letter of intent (LOI) that will see SK supply packaging materials such as its ECOTRIA CR, SKYPET CR, and ECOZEN CLARO to ELC.

ECOTRIA CR and SKYPET CR use copolyester and polyethylene terephthalate derived from circular raw materials while ECOZEN CLARO is designed to address plastic recycling.

The cosmetic brand will leverage these materials to develop packaging for its own products.

As part of the agreement, SK and ELC will gradually scale up the recycled materials content in their products and eliminate other non-recyclable materials.

The partnership will expedite the transition towards sustainability in the global cosmetics container market.

SK CEO Ahn Jae-hyun said: "Through this agreement, we believe positive synergies can be created in both business and environmental aspects as SK Chemicals, leading the circular recycling plastic technology [market], partners with the Estée Lauder Companies, leading the global cosmetics market."

He added: "We will continue to work harder to create a sustainable cosmetics container ecosystem."

ELC offers skincare, makeup, fragrance, and haircare products under more than 20 brands in approximately 150 countries and territories.

In March this year, SK entered into an agreement with Yonwoo, a subsidiary of cosmetics container manufacturer Kolmar Korea, to develop and commercialise containers using recycled materials.

Last month, SK also partnered with Shanghai Yuekun Environmental Protection Technology to drive innovation in the waste plastic sector in China.