SK Chemicals builds new facility for PO3G biopolyol production

In South Korea, SK Chemicals has built a mass production system with a scale of several thousand tons for new biopolyol material “PO3G” (polyoxytrimethylene ether glycol) and has started up production. The brand name of this material is ECOTRION. Last month, SK chemicals unveiled its strategy to expand operations as a “green material” company with biomaterials in the chemical business as one of its growth engines in its financial story. Starting with operations at the recently completed PO3G Unit 1, the company will continue to expand its business in the field of biomaterials.

SK chemicals is accelerating its entry into markets such as artificial leather, sneakers, fashion, and furniture by promoting the excellent chemical resistance and eco-friendliness of the green material, ECOTRION. Rapid growth is expected as the demand for eco-friendly materials in the automobile, sports, and fashion industries is rapidly increasing in response to global environmental regulations and increased interest in complying with ESG management declarations. Hyundai Motor’s Basic Materials Research Center has already collaborated with SK chemicals and LX Hausys to develop eco-friendly artificial leather, and through this, Hyundai Motor and Kia have developed artificial leather (LX Hausys production) using SK chemicals’ ECOTRION and applied it to the Genesis GV60 seats, and are considering it to other models.