White Bio Business Full-Scale Launch
Replacing Existing Petroleum-Derived Materials
Used in Production of Plastics and Paints
Annual Production Volume Approximately 15,000 Tons
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Samyang Group is accelerating its eco-friendly business by completing the first domestic plant for the white bio material "Isosorbide" derived from plant resources.
Samyang Inochem, the chemical business affiliate of Samyang Group, announced on the 16th that it held a completion ceremony for the commercial plant of Isosorbide (product name NOVASORB®) at its Gunsan plant in Jeonbuk. About 130 related parties attended the ceremony, including Kim Yoon, Chairman of Samyang Holdings, Kim Kwan-young, Governor of Jeollabuk-do, Kang Im-jun, Mayor of Gunsan, and Hwang Soo-sung, Director of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.
Isosorbide is a white bio material chemically processed from starch extracted from plant resources such as corn. It is used to replace conventional petroleum-derived materials like Bisphenol A (BPA), known as a harmful substance to humans, in the production of plastics and coatings. Plastics made using Isosorbide contribute to reducing carbon emissions as eco-friendly products and have excellent durability and heat resistance, making them versatile for use in materials such as food containers, automotive interior and exterior parts, and electronic device casings.
Samyang Inochem’s Isosorbide plant is located in the Gunsan Free Trade Zone, covering an area of 23,000 ㎥ (7,000 pyeong). Construction began in 2020, mechanical completion was finished last year, and commercial production started in February this year. The current annual production capacity of the plant is about 15,000 tons. The company plans to expand the capacity to 30,000 to 40,000 tons per year through equipment efficiency improvements and additional investments.
Only Samyang Inochem and Roquette, headquartered in France, are capable of commercial production of Isosorbide, with Samyang Inochem being the sole producer in Korea. Leveraging the completion of this plant, Samyang Inochem plans to expand supply not only domestically but also globally, continuously increasing the overseas sales proportion of its eco-friendly business.
Samyang Inochem's eco-friendly white bio material 'Isosorbide' (left) and eco-friendly containers made using isosorbide. Photo by Samyang Inochem
Kim Yoon, Chairman of Samyang Holdings, said in his welcoming speech at the completion ceremony, “There were many difficulties in developing and researching Isosorbide, but the eco-friendly white bio business was something that had to be done,” adding, “I am pleased and honored to have secured a plant capable of mass production following the development of biomass-based eco-friendly materials.” He continued, “We will promote the expansion of the Isosorbide plant in line with the growth of the white bio market to contribute to regional economic revitalization and the creation of a low-carbon industrial ecosystem.”
Kang Hoseong, CEO of Samyang Inochem, said, “Eco-friendliness is not just a trend but an essential requirement for sustainable management and future growth of companies,” adding, “We will actively promote the development of eco-friendly materials using Isosorbide, pioneer the emerging white bio material market, and realize ESG management that contributes to reducing plastic carbon emissions.”
Meanwhile, as part of expanding its eco-friendly business, Samyang Inochem signed an MOU in July with Kukdo Chemical, a global leader in epoxy, to collaborate on research and development of eco-friendly bio materials. They are jointly researching and commercializing eco-friendly epoxy, coatings, adhesives, and paints using Isosorbide.
Additionally, in April last year, Samyang was selected as the lead company for the project “Development of Biomass-Based Eco-Friendly Polycarbonate (PC) and Components” led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. The company is promoting the development of biomass-based PC using Isosorbide and the commercialization of automotive interior parts using this material.
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