Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
SK Chemicals expands SKYPEL use from pillows to mattresses
Kim Eung-soo, right, head of SK Chemicals’ Green Materials Business Division, and SENSE MOM CEO Kang Kyung-mo sign a business cooperation agreement at SENSE MOM’s headquarters in Incheon, Monday. Courtesy of SK Chemicals
By Lee Gyu-lee
SK Chemicals is expanding the use of its SKYPEL specialty material from pillows to mattresses, replacing conventional olefin-based materials used in bedding fillings.
The company said Tuesday that it signed a memorandum of understanding with DMOA, the flagship brand of bedding specialist SENSE MOM, on Monday at SENSE MOM’s headquarters in Incheon's Namdong District.
Under the agreement, the two companies will jointly develop and manufacture pillows, cushions, seat cushions and mattresses using SKYPEL as a breathable cushion filling.
The companies have already begun commercial production of DMOA pillows incorporating SKYPEL and plan to expand its use to seat cushions and mattresses.
For the pillow project, the companies replaced conventional olefin-based materials such as polyolefin elastomer with SKYPEL, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer.
Used as a fiberfill similar to cotton wadding, SKYPEL provides a soft feel while maintaining its physical properties in indoor environments with traditional underfloor heating systems, where products are exposed to relatively high temperatures.
SKYPEL combines the flexibility of rubber with the strength of engineering plastics. It offers strong elastic recovery and heat resistance, allowing it to retain its shape after repeated compression and washing.
SK Chemicals provided technical support throughout the development and manufacturing process, including material selection, extrusion process optimization, drying conditions, equipment adjustments and application-specific property design.
Under the MOU, the companies will continue developing SKYPEL applications for seat cushions and mattresses. Seat cushion products are being prepared for commercialization, while mattress applications are under development.
SK Chemicals plans to further expand SKYPEL applications across consumer goods, including bedding.
“This project demonstrates how we combined our specialty materials with technical support to meet our customer’s performance requirements and stabilize production,” said Kim Eung-soo, head of SK Chemicals’ Green Materials Business Division. “We will continue expanding applications across a wide range of fields through differentiated specialty materials and customized technical support.”
SKYPEL is used in automotive parts, industrial materials, electrical and electronic products and consumer goods.