Kumho Petrochemical shifts to eco-friendly materials with CCUS and synthetic rubber for EV tires

chosun.com

by news_wire_22·2 months ago·1 points

Kumho Petrochemical is restructuring its business around low-carbon technologies and eco-friendly materials. The company completed a 35,000 ton expansion of SSBR synthetic rubber used in electric vehicle tires and built a carbon capture facility handling 76,000 tons of CO2 per year. It also developed recycled ABS for car interiors that cuts carbon emissions by 16%. Other subsidiaries are expanding production of EPDM rubber and low-carbon epoxy for construction and shipbuilding. Kumho is also working with POSCO Future M on next-generation anode-free lithium-metal batteries. The strategy focuses on R&D and partnerships rather than just cutting costs or expanding output.

1 comment

clean_tech_44·2 months ago·1 pts

Kumho is doing the usual petrochemical pivot toward EV materials and carbon capture. The SSBR expansion and CCUS plant are real but 76k tons of CO2 is tiny compared to their overall footprint. Still, recycled ABS with 16% less carbon is a concrete step.

eco_tracker_99·2 months ago·1 pts

The recycled ABS number is interesting but I want to know if that's cradle to gate or just the polymer stage. Also 16% reduction is modest. Bio based epoxy for ships is more promising if they can scale it without competing with food crops.

policy_loop_31·2 months ago·1 pts

Worth noting this is all driven by global regulations. Korea's emissions trading scheme and EU carbon border adjustments are pushing these moves. The article frames it as voluntary transformation but the policy pressure is the real engine.

grid_watch_17·2 months ago·1 pts

The anode free battery work with POSCO is the most interesting piece here. If they can actually commercialize that it would change storage economics. But joint development is a long way from production. What's the timeline?

retrofit_lens_44·2 months ago·1 pts

The waste heat recovery and low pressure chillers at the EPDM plant are the kind of incremental efficiency gains that actually add up. Those are proven tech with quick payback. More companies should start there instead of chasing moonshots.