BASF executive wins top chemical award

By Lee Hyo-sik

A BASF Korea executive won a presidential award for developing eco-friendly thermal insulation materials and techniques, the Korean unit of the German chemical company said Thursday.

Cha Kyoung-jin, head of the styrenic foams business at BASF Korea, won a presidential citation during the 8th Chemical Industry Day ceremony at the 63 Convention Center on Yeouido, Oct. 31.

He was recognized for his contribution to introducing innovative, eco-friendly thermal insulation solutions and relevant methods to the Korean market while working in the local expandable polystyrene (EPS) industry over the past 28 years, the company said.

In particular, he was credited with the design and dissemination of energy-efficient houses, such as 3L House and Passive House, which significantly reduce energy consumption.

“Cha has been highly praised for advancing the domestic chemical industry by initiating the adoption and supply of Neopor, a high-performance eco-friendly insulation,” a BASF Korea spokeswoman said. Neopor is about 20 percent thinner than other rigid foam insulations, but achieves the same performance.

“He also played a crucial role in attracting investments from the German headquarters for the setup and extension of the manufacturing facility for Neopor in Korea,” she said. “Its sales have increased at an explosive pace since we began commercial production in 2007. Some production volumes have been shipped abroad.”

In 1988, Cha joined Hyosung BASF to head the EPS technical support team. He then served as EPS sales head at BASF Korea, and was also dispatched to BASF India.

BASF Korea, set up in 1954, operates seven plants and five technology centers across the country.

It employs 1,057 workers here, and established a global sales office for its organic electronics business in Seoul in 2013. The company opened its Asian electronic materials research and development center in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, in 2014.