Kumho Petrochemical Group is enhancing its research and development (R&D) efforts in response to declining demand and oversupply in the global petrochemical industry. The company aims to improve profitability and secure future growth by focusing on high-value products and eco-friendly materials.
According to Kumho Petrochemical Group, the company is strengthening the competitiveness of its products, particularly the high-performance synthetic rubber SSBR for electric vehicles. Last year, it completed an expansion with an annual capacity of 35,000 tons and has begun commercial operations. The company has also developed automotive interior materials from recycled ABS retrieved from discarded electronics, expecting to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 16% through this technology.
Key affiliates are also accelerating the development of eco-friendly and high-value materials. Kumho P&B Chemicals is working on water-soluble epoxy that reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and bio-based low-carbon epoxy. Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is expanding its production capacity of MDI, a core raw material for polyurethane, to 710,000 tons per year while focusing on developing lightweight materials and sound-absorbing materials for electric vehicles.
Kumho Polychem is increasing its production capacity of special synthetic rubber EPDM to 310,000 tons per year and is enhancing production efficiency and quality through ultra-low temperature polymerization technology. The company also plans to expand its product range to include materials that improve driving noise in electric vehicles and insulating materials.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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