Kumho Petrochemical Group invests in new growth engines

Kumho Petrochemical Group's rubber manufacturing facility in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province / Courtesy of Kumho Petrochemical Group

By Kim Jae-heun

Kumho Petrochemical Group is strengthening its main business of petrochemicals while also continuing to invest in new growth engines including secondary battery materials for its sustainable growth.

Kumho Petrochemical is beefing up the competitiveness of its core business by establishing an advanced business portfolio centered on high-value synthetic rubber products.

In particular, the company is focusing on diversifying its lineup of products with NB Latex, a raw material used mainly in latex gloves, to maintain its global leadership in the sector. For example, it has introduced a high-strength industrial glove with NB Latex, which improved the product's physical properties such as resistance to chemicals, wear and puncture.

Furthermore, the company plans to take the added value of NB Latex to the next level by continuing its research and development to reduce the raw materials needed for producing medical latex gloves.

Kumho P&B Chemicals, one of Kumho Petrochemical's affiliates, is also focusing on building up the competitiveness of its flagship products, based on the strength of a vertical series of phenol derivatives that extend from phenol and acetone to BPA and epoxy resin. Epoxy resin, which is used mainly in shipbuilding and construction, is also used as a raw material for wind turbine blades. The raw material is drawing attention in the renewable energy sector.

Kumho P&B Chemicals said it will continue to expand the annual production capacity of its epoxy resin while focusing on developing high-value epoxy using its own technologies. In addition, the company is aiming to secure a stable supply of raw materials for epoxy resins through joint investments.