Kumho Petrochemical Group Sets Environmental Standards in Processes: "Beyond Campaigns to Core Management Strategy"

Embedding Eco-Friendly Standards in Facilities and Processes Across Affiliates
Proactively Addressing Global Supply Chain Demands Beyond Regulatory Compliance
Transforming Operations Through Carbon Capture and Recycling

Kumho Petrochemical Group is expanding its 'environmental management' across all processes, facilities, and operations. The company is shifting the focus of its environmental management from simple carbon reduction or eco-friendly campaigns to fundamentally changing production processes, raw material usage, and facility operation methods.

On January 6, Kumho Petrochemical Group announced that it is applying 'carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technology' and a waste recycling-based circular economy model throughout its energy generation business and chemical processes. The group is pursuing a strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining industrial competitiveness. Major affiliates such as Kumho Petrochemical, Kumho P&B Chemicals, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, and Kumho Polychem are gradually establishing an environmental management system aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Employees of Kumho Petrochemical are conducting an internal safety inspection at the factory. Kumho Petrochemical

Kumho Petrochemical is focusing on process improvements and enhancing resource utilization to reduce environmental impact. In response to the national circular economy policy, the company is expanding the international 'Zero Waste to Landfill' certification to each business site. Yeosu No. 2 Energy renewed its Gold level certification for achievements in recycling power plant boiler ash, and Yeosu No. 1 Energy is in the process of obtaining new certification. The company plans to further expand the certification scope to additional sites, raising the level of environmental management.

Regarding carbon nanotubes, Kumho Petrochemical contributed to improvements in the European Union's 'Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation, and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH)' policy, thereby strengthening its global regulatory response capabilities. The company participated in the process of improving the unclear evaluation system for nanomaterials and was recognized for its contribution to alleviating concerns about carcinogenicity, receiving a commendation from the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The CCUS facility established last July is a symbolic example of Kumho Petrochemical Group's environmental strategy. The facility selectively captures carbon dioxide from flue gas emitted by power generation equipment and, through the K&H Specialty Gas process, converts it into valuable chemicals such as dry ice and food- and beverage-grade carbon dioxide. The initiative aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while simultaneously creating added value and cutting costs.

Each affiliate is also strengthening the establishment of real-time management and monitoring systems for environmental facilities. Kumho P&B Chemicals installed a calorific value monitoring system on the flare stacks (gas incineration facilities) at Yeosu Plants 1 and 2 to enhance emergency response capabilities, and introduced an Internet of Things (IoT)-based air pollution control system at the Gwangyang Logistics Center. The company also reinforced its accident prevention system by installing additional flammable gas detectors in the cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) facility to strengthen standards for handling hazardous chemicals.