Korea Economic DailySeptember 4, 2003SK chemicals has decided to establish a polyester production plant in the U.S. to underscore its advance into the North American market.SK chemicals said on August 4, ?We will concurrently establish a PET production plant in the U.S. with the opening of Hyundai Motor?s plant in Alabama to supply polyester products to the automaker.?To this end, SK chemicals launched its local subsidiary, ATIS, and started preparations including the selection of a plant site. The company intends to produce ?Sky Board? at the plant - an innovative noise absorption material for vehicles.Hyundai Motor and SK chemicals succeeded in the first-ever production of this product following the automaker?s development of the EF Sonata sedan. The product is effective in reducing weight by more than 1 kg and noise by more than 3 decibels, when compared with existing noise absorption materials that incorporate used textile.SK Chemical?s noise absorption materials are being used in almost all Hyundai Motor cars, including the Grandeur XG and Starex.Reporter- Tae Woong Jung