Kumho Petrochemical Expands Development of Environmentally Friendly High-Value-Added Products

Researchers at Kumho Petrochemical Central Research Institute are discussing eco-friendly high value-added products.

[Asia Economy Reporter Oh Hyung-gil] Kumho Petrochemical Group has set a goal to achieve sales of 12 trillion KRW by 2026, including 2 trillion KRW from eco-friendly businesses and 2 trillion KRW from new businesses. The group plans to actively align with trends such as eco-friendliness and the reduction of internal combustion engines while discovering environmentally friendly, high value-added products.

First, they will enhance product competitiveness for carbon nanotubes (CNT), which are used as additives in lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles. CNTs, used as conductive agents in battery cathodes, have higher conductivity than traditional carbon black materials, increasing energy efficiency. They are currently improving product quality and conducting research and development (R&D) to expand sales to lithium secondary battery customers.

Engineering plastics are also undergoing active R&D in response to the expansion of electric and hydrogen vehicle adoption. These high-performance plastics are lighter and have superior impact resistance and heat resistance compared to general plastics. Research on improving physical properties is being conducted mainly on products that can be mixed with existing synthetic resin products to prepare for the full-scale electric vehicle market.

Efforts are also accelerating in the eco-friendly rubber composite manufacturing business applying biosilica. Silica extracted from rice husks is classified as an eco-friendly process because it can reduce carbon dioxide emissions. R&D and quality stabilization are underway to apply biosilica to high-performance synthetic rubber (SSBR) used in tires.

Park Chan-gu, Chairman of Kumho Petrochemical Group, emphasized, "It is important to develop core competencies that can quickly respond to future changes based on R&D and to actively pioneer areas that can create synergy with existing businesses."