● SK Chemical Upgrades Post Processing R&D, Bolsters Presence in Specialty Plastics

- Construction complete on plastic processing lab in Dongtan ···
   Additional infrastructure equals strengthened R&D capacity



SK Chemical has boosted its infrastructure to secure a competitive edge in specialty plastics, a sector within the high value-added chemical industry.

SK Chemical announced on the 14th that it has completed construction on a plastic processing lab within its Dongtan Industrial Complex, located in Hwaseong City of Gyeonggi Province, and is currently conducting full operations there. This facility is an expansion on existing research infrastructure SK Chemical had relocated from another area in Hwaseong.

The Dongtan Plastic Processing Lab consists of three above-ground floors that cover a total area of 2,158㎡, representing a 240% increase in scale compared to previous facilities. The lab`s infrastructure can handle over 30 unique types of state-of-the-art plastic processing R&D.

As a subsidiary of SK Chemical`s Chemical Research Center, the Dongtan Plastic Processing Lab will provide post processing evaluation, analysis, and development for SK Chemical.

Generally, R&D within the chemical industry has been separated into research and development that concerns chemicals themselves (such as developing new chemicals and new grades) and that which seeks to alter already produced chemicals through forming and processing so as to fulfill specific uses.

The Dongtan Plastic Processing Lab will take charge of compounding research, research into extrusion and injection, chemical evaluation and analysis, and other operations as requested by SK Chemical. SK Chemical anticipates that the lab will allow the company to respond to and fulfill specific orders from individual customers in a quicker and more efficient manner.

Furthermore, it is expected that the lab will increase SK Chemical`s competitiveness in specialty plastics.

A spokesperson for SK Chemical commented, “Unlike with general-purpose materials, with high value-added materials, purposed development, and the post processing that goes on within it, is essential in creating materials that fulfill specific, customer-demanded uses.” Added the spokesperson, “These additions to our plastic forming and processing equipment will play a vital role in elevating the performance of SK Chemical`s specialty plastics, like EcoGen and SkyGreen.”

Since 2010, SK Chemical, has focused on environmentally-friendly materials, such as EcoGen and SkyGreen, but has also developed materials found in TVs and other household electronics, food containers, and in many other diverse products. Through the Dongtan Plastic Processing Lab, the company plans to grow its resin processing technology into over 100 unique R&D streams and venture into forming composite materials.

R&D into new materials requiring more and varied post processing will also see a lift. Through its partnership with Initz, SK Chemical is working toward the mass production of the super engineering plastic PPS. SK Chemical plans to employ the Dongtan Plastic Processing Lab to minimize problems that can occur during the post processing of PPS and during the development of products which contain it.

Chemical Research Center Chief Jong-lyang Kim said, “The plastic processing lab will play a big part in helping SK Chemical go beyond simply producing and selling chemicals and into providing a total solution that can take customer-purchased materials and customize them for end-user products.” Added Kim, “Through diverse R&D activity centered within the plastic processing lab, we plan to usher in new business ventures and enhance the function of specialty plastics.”



[사진설명]
SK Chemical announced on the 14th that it has expanded on and relocated existing infrastructure to complete construction on a plastic processing lab which will take charge of the company`s post processing R&D. Through its more than 30 elements of plastic processing R&D infrastructure, the lab will develop extrusion and injection processes and other uses for plastics produced by SK Chemical.


[Ref.] Explanation of terms

▶ What is compounding?
Compounding is any processing technique that combines two or more different materials (resins, additives, reinforcing agents, etc.) to make a particular resin demanded by the end-user

▶ Extrusion? Injection?
- Extrusion and injection are the standard methods for melting and forming plastic
- Extrusion is a process, usually used in the manufacture of film and sheets, that continuously pressurizes melted plastic and pushes it through a die
- Injection is process whereby melted plastic is injected into a mold; it is predominantly used to manufacture containers and other plastic parts

▶ What are specialty plastics?
- Unlike general-purpose plastics, specialty plastics offer high-performance properties such as resistance to heat and superior mechanical properties
- Specialty plastics include super engineering and environmentally-friendly high value-added materials which may be used as a substitute for metals