As the global petrochemical industry faces a dual challenge of declining demand and oversupply, Kumho Petrochemical Group is accelerating its restructuring efforts centered on research and development (R&D). The company aims to secure both profitability and growth through the expansion of high-value specialty products, the development of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, and process innovations.
According to industry sources, Kumho Petrochemical is positioning itself to lead the high-value synthetic rubber market, focusing on Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR), a key material for electric vehicles. SSBR is a high-performance synthetic rubber that enhances tire durability, fuel efficiency, and wear performance, making it essential for the unique weight and frequent acceleration and deceleration conditions of electric vehicles. Last year, Kumho Petrochemical completed a 35,000-ton expansion and began full commercial operations, significantly enhancing its market responsiveness.
Kumho P&B Chemical is concentrating on expanding its product portfolio centered around epoxy resins. The company is particularly focused on developing and commercializing water-based eco-friendly epoxy products to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, respond to changing global regulations, and improve workplace safety.
Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is channeling its R&D capabilities to strengthen its competitiveness in future eco-friendly and high-performance product sectors. The company, which produces MDI (Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate), a key raw material for polyurethane, is investing in additional debottlenecking to increase its production capacity to 710,000 tons by the end of this year, following a 100,000-ton expansion that began in December.
Kumho Polychem continues to enhance its technology-driven competitiveness in the special synthetic rubber EPDM sector. Recently, the company established a production system capable of 310,000 tons annually through a 70,000-ton expansion of its fifth line. This expansion also utilizes ultra-low temperature polymerization technology, which allows for precise control of reaction conditions to improve productivity while stabilizing product quality.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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