Kolon Industries is expanding its production line for polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather to enhance its automotive interior material portfolio.
The company announced on July 29 that it held a completion ceremony for the PU production line at its Gimcheon plant on July 28. Kolon invested approximately 24 billion won (about $20 million) to establish the synthetic leather production system over 17 months, from February of last year to June of this year.
PU synthetic leather mimics the texture and feel of natural leather while offering processability and durability. It is widely used in key automotive interior components such as seats, door trims, and consoles. Its importance has grown due to the recent trend in the automotive industry toward leather alternatives and increasing demand for eco-friendly materials.
To enhance the eco-friendliness of its products, Kolon has implemented technologies in the production line to reduce harmful substances like benzene and toluene. The company has also established continuous processing equipment to minimize idle time between processes, thereby improving production efficiency.
Kolon aims to respond quickly to customer demands for eco-friendliness and premium quality while securing a technical foundation to target the anticipated increase in demand for PU synthetic leather in overseas markets. The company has previously supplied various automotive interior materials, including fabrics, PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and TPO (thermoplastic olefin), to global clients. The completion of the PU line is expected to further enhance its total solution capabilities for automotive interiors.
A Kolon Industries representative stated, "The completion of the K-PU production line is an investment aimed at proactively responding to the rapidly changing automotive interior material market, which is shifting toward eco-friendliness and premium quality. We will continue to provide automotive interior material solutions optimized for customer demand based on differentiated processing technology and material portfolio, while also striving to expand our customer base and strengthen our business competitiveness."
Meanwhile, Kolon Industries announced on July 13 that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with IMM PE, the preferred bidder for the sale of its functional materials and imaging materials business.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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