DL Chemical Starts Commercial Operation of New Latex Plant in Singapore

Accelerating the Transformation of the Specialty Business Structure

DL Chemical announced on the 11th that its newly constructed Kariflex polyisoprene latex plant, built with an investment of 480 billion KRW within the Jurong Island chemical complex in Singapore, has commenced commercial operations.

Spanning 61,000㎡, this plant is the world's largest polyisoprene latex facility and is strategically located in Southeast Asia, where major customers' production facilities are concentrated, providing a strong advantage in product supply.

Exterior view of the Cariplex Singapore factory (Photo by DL Chemical)

Kariflex, acquired by DL Chemical in 2020 for 620 billion KRW, is the world's only manufacturer of synthetic rubber and latex based on anionic catalyst technology. It is also the largest manufacturer in the synthetic rubber market for polyisoprene surgical gloves.

Kariflex products are known for their low irritation, fewer impurities, and higher transparency compared to competitors, making them popular materials for high value-added medical products such as surgical gloves and syringe stoppers. The polyisoprene latex produced by Kariflex has already been verified for quality and stability in the highly demanding medical materials market, and demand is expected to continue growing.

DL Chemical expects to expand its medical materials business and make additional investments centered on the new plant. To this end, alongside the commercial operation of the new plant, discussions have also begun regarding investment in production facility expansion and facility advancement.

A DL Chemical representative stated, "With the commercial operation of the Kariflex Singapore new plant, we have achieved an overwhelming 'global No.1' position in the medical materials market," adding, "We will further accelerate the transition to a specialty business structure focused on high value-added products."

Meanwhile, DL Chemical recorded consolidated sales of 1.2319 trillion KRW in the third quarter, an 11.9% increase compared to the same period last year. Operating profit for the same period reached 47.7 billion KRW, marking a return to profitability.