Kumho Mitsui Holds MDI Expansion Ceremony

Introducing eco-friendly processes to build up to 610,000 tons in Korea, accelerating the expansion of global supply chains for resource recycling, declaring technology independence with independent technology

Kumho Mitsui Chemical announced on the 3rd that it held the completion ceremony of the 200,000-ton MDI (Methylenyl Diisocyanate) plant, a key polyurethane material, at the Yeosu plant on the 3rd. With this expansion, Kumho Mitsui Chemical completed its annual production system of 610,000 tons. It is the world’s second largest single plant.

About 100 officials attended the event, including Kumho Petrochemical Group Chairman Park Chan-koo, Japanese Mitsui Chemical Chairman Tsutomu Tanno and Kumho Petrochemical President Park Joon-kyung, Kumho Mitsui Chemical President On Yong-hyun and Yeosu Mayor Chung Ki-myung.

Kumho Mitsui Chemical invested a total of 570 billion won in this expansion to build the largest MDI production capacity in Korea. This not only solidified its leading position in the Korean market but also established the world’s second largest single plant in terms of production capacity.

MDI is used in various industries such as furniture, insulation, automobile interior materials, memory foam, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier cooling materials. Recently, the MDI market continues to grow as demand for LNG expands and demand for high-functional polyurethane increases.

Kumho Mitsui Chemical completed the expansion plant by applying its own MDI production technology based on its technology and experience accumulated for more than 30 years since its foundation in 1989. This is evaluated as a symbolic achievement of declaring the independence of MDI core production technology.

“The full-fledged operation of the new plant has laid the foundation for growth as a global leading PU maker,” said On Yong-hyun, president of Kumho Mitsui Chemical. “We will grow into a sustainable growth company that practices social responsibility.”

The eco-friendly recycling process was applied to the new factory for the first time in Korea. It is a technology that reduces by-products and wastewater generated in the MDI production process to chlorine and caustic soda and re-inserts them into raw materials. Through this, environmental pollution can be prevented and raw material self-sufficiency can be increased.

The company emphasized, “We have secured a global competitive advantage by self-sufficiency of raw materials through eco-friendly technology.”

Kumho Petrochemical Group Chairman Park Chan-koo said, “We hope that Kumho Mitsui Chemical will contribute to the development of Korea’s industry and the recovery of business conditions.”

Kumho Petrochemical CEO Baek Jong-hoon (from sixth left in the photo), Yeosu Mayor Chung Ki-myung, Kumho Petrochemical Chairman Park Chan-koo, Japanese Mitsui Chemical Chairman Tanno and Kumho Petrochemical President Park Joon-kyung are cutting commemorative tapes.<Geumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.>

https://www.mk.co.kr/en/business/11281621