SK Completes World's First DPG Production Facility... Annual Supply of 30,000 Tons

SK PIC Global Establishes DPG Production Facility at Ulsan Plant

SK PIC Global Ulsan Plant exterior.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Lee Jun-hyung] SKC's chemical business investment company, SK PIC Global, has established the world's first dedicated dipropylene glycol (DPG) production facility in South Korea. This facility has the capacity to produce DPG equivalent to one-tenth of the global demand.

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced that SK PIC Global held a 'DPG Dedicated Production Facility Completion Ceremony' on the morning of the 28th at its Ulsan plant. The ceremony was attended by Lee Kyung-ho, Director of the Materials, Parts, and Equipment Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, Kim Doo-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan, Park Won-cheol, CEO of SKC, and Won Ki-don, CEO of SK PIC Global, among others.

DPG is a chemical material used in cosmetics, perfumes, and electronic devices. Among the three types of propylene glycol (PG)?monopropylene glycol (MPG), tripropylene glycol (TPG), and DPG?it is considered the highest value-added material. This is the first case of establishing a facility capable of producing only DPG independently.

With the establishment of a dedicated DPG production facility, SK PIC Global's chemical product manufacturing efficiency is expected to improve significantly. Previously, to produce 1 ton of DPG using existing facilities, SK PIC Global had to produce about 6 tons of byproducts such as MPG and TPG. The increase in DPG demand highlighted the need for a dedicated production facility.

The newly completed production facility can produce 30,000 tons of DPG annually. According to the Ministry, the global demand for DPG is approximately 300,000 tons. This means that SK PIC Global's Ulsan plant alone can supply one-tenth of the world's DPG demand.

Director Lee said, "The dedicated DPG production process is an innovative method that overcomes the limitations of the existing production method, which simultaneously produces byproducts during DPG production," adding, "As the world's first commercialized dedicated DPG production process, it will enhance the global competitiveness of the domestic chemical industry." He also stated, "The domestic chemical industry will continue to face difficulties due to rising raw material prices, intensified oversupply, and strengthened global environmental regulations," and added, "The government will spare no effort in supporting technological development and regulatory improvements such as process innovation, advanced materials, and low-carbon transition for the sustainable growth of the chemical industry."