Breakthrough with High Value-Added and Eco-Friendly Materials: Kumho Petrochemical Accelerates R&D-Centric Overhaul

Gaining Market Leadership with SSBR and CCUS Technological Competitiveness

Kumho Petrochemical Group is accelerating its organizational overhaul with a focus on research and development (R&D). Amidst the twin challenges of sluggish global petrochemical demand and supply surplus, the group’s strategy is to restructure its business portfolio based on technological competitiveness, turning uncertainties into new opportunities.

Researchers at Kumho Petrochemical Central Research Laboratory are conducting an experiment. Provided by Kumho Petrochemical

According to industry sources on July 20, Kumho Petrochemical is seeking to secure an early lead in the high value-added synthetic rubber market, centering on solution styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), a key material in the era of electric vehicles. SSBR is a high-performance synthetic rubber that simultaneously improves tire durability, fuel efficiency, and wear resistance. Last year, Kumho Petrochemical completed an expansion project boosting its SSBR production by 35,000 tons and began full-scale commercial operation.

Kumho Petrochemical has also built a carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) facility capable of capturing approximately 76,000 tons of CO2 annually. This demonstrates the possibility of linking greenhouse gas reduction efforts to new revenue streams. Recently, the company succeeded in converting recycled anti-lock braking system (ABS) material recovered from discarded electronics into high-grade interior automotive materials. This technology meets automobile standards for heat resistance and impact strength, while also reducing carbon emissions by approximately 16%.

Kumho P&B Chemicals is focusing on expanding its product portfolio, with epoxy resins at its core. By developing and commercializing water-based, environmentally friendly epoxy products, the company is reducing emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), complying with global regulations, and enhancing product competitiveness with consideration for improved work environments.

Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is concentrating its R&D capabilities to strengthen its competitiveness in next-generation eco-friendly and high-performance product segments. As a producer of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), a key raw material for polyurethane, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals is planning an additional investment that will increase its annual production capacity by 100,000 tons—from December last year through the end of this year—reaching a total of 710,000 tons.

Kumho Polychem continues to bolster its technological edge in the field of specialty synthetic rubber, especially EPDM. The company plans to diversify its product portfolio to include lightweight materials, materials for improving noise reduction in electric vehicles, and thermal conductive and insulating materials.

A representative from Kumho Petrochemical Group stated, "We are moving beyond a business structure reliant on market conditions, establishing profitability based on technology, and proactively securing future growth drivers. In addition to advancing technology in our core businesses, we are expanding our R&D scope to new fields such as recycled materials, carbon reduction, and next-generation battery materials, actively responding to changes within the industry."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.