●SK chemicals mounts a challenge to ‘specialty plastics’ in Europe, the birthplace of “chemistry.”
- Displays the high-value-added “specialty plastics” line at ‘K 2016’ in Germany.
- From bio to super engineering···a portfolio of differentiated materials
A domestic chemical company participates in an exhibition in Europe, regarded as the birthplace of the ‘chemical industry,’ and introduces various ‘specialty plastics’ lineups.
SK chemicals (CEO Kim Cheol) announced on October 18 that it would participate in K 2016, held from October 19 to October 26 in Dusseldorf, Germany, and introduce its specialty plastics products, including the bio plastic ECOZEN and PPS material ECOTRAN.
‘Specialty plastics’ is a concept in contrast to commodity plastics; and unlike general-purpose materials, it requires high technology and know-how so it is regarded as a high-value-added business that has a high entry barrier.
Most global chemical companies have already departed from general-purpose materials and reformed their business structure with a focus on specialty plastics. SK chemicals has entered this business at an accelerated pace with differentiated specialty engineering plastics, e.g., environment-friendly materials and super engineering.
Materials on display at K 2016 are △bio copolyester ECOZEN △PPS materials ECOTRAN △PCT materials SKYPURA △TPEE materials SKYPEL, and state-of-the-art solutions and technologies, such as △the compound brand SKYTRA and △the 3D printing materials brand SKYPLETE.
“SK chemicals has the greatest variety of differentiated specialty plastics product groups ranging from environment-friendly materials like bio plastics to super engineering plastics that replace metals,” said an SK chemicals insider. “This exhibition is an important opportunity to show not simply the excellence of our materials, but also how our products offer customers solutions to their most pressing issues such as compounding and 3D printing.”
SK chemicals will capitalize on K 2016 to aggressively advance into the European.
“Europe is a market that leads the global trends and technologies in the chemical industry, and a very important market in terms of the specialty product business,” said the company. “We will aggressively advance into the European market by enhancing the environment-friendly materials business, including PETG already recognized in Europe, and reinforcing our global partnering in the field of new materials at the same time.”
K 2016 is one of the world’s top three exhibitions along with NPE of the US and Chinaplas of China, and more than 3,000 companies from 56 countries participated in K 2013.
[Photograph]
:A view of the inside of the exhibition booth of SK chemicals at K 2016
[Cf.] Introduction to our products on display
☞ ECOZEN
ECOZEN is the world’s first bio-copolyester. Since it is based on bio-monomer derived from natural materials, it is not only environment-friendly, but also highly transparent, heat-resistant and chemical-resistant. So it is widely used in food containers and home appliances.
☞ ECOTRAN
PPS (poly phenylene sulfide) is a super engineering plastic with high heat resistance and chemical resistance. It is widely used as a substitute for metals. SK chemicals established the joint venture “Initz” with Japan’s Teijin, and is installing large-scale equipment in Ulsan. ECOTRAN does not use toxic solvents in the production process, and does not contain any chlorine unlike existing PPS. This versatile product is used mostly in components and materials for automobiles and electronic products.
☞ SKYPURA
: SKYPURA, a PCT (poly cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate) polymer, is a highly heat-resistant polyester based on CHDM (Cyclohexanedimethanol). It is a super engineering plastic. Since it provides excellent thermal stability, reflectivity and light resistance, it is used in TVs and LED reflectors. Also, since this highly heat-resistant material has excellent electrical properties, it is widely used in electrical/electronic applications, such as SMT (Surface Mounting Technology) connectors. Based on the excellent chemical resistance and thermal stability of PCT, its applications are expanding to new high-value-added areas that require high functionality, such as industrial fibers and electrical insulation film.
☞ SKYPEL
SKYPEL, which is a TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer), is an elastomer combining the characteristics of rubber and plastic. SKYPEL is an elastomer with excellent durability, flexibility at low temperatures, chemical resistance and hydrolysis-resistance. It is widely used in applications that require repeated elasticity and flexibility, such as cables and automotive parts. SK chemicals has been using its polyester synthesis technology to develop differentiated grades that meet diverse customer needs and expand the business to such applications as wearable devices and special fibers.
☞ SKYTRA
SKYTRA is a compound product that SK chemicals developed by using its own environment-friendly materials and reinforcing its physical properties with other resins and additives. Since it has better chemical resistance than its competitive materials, i.e. PC/ABS mixture and ABS, it does not crack after long-term use. It is expected to be widely used in automotive interiors, such as the center facia, consoles and door handles.
☞ SKYPLETE
SKYPLETE is a brand name for the material used in 3D printing. SK chemicals is capitalizing on its own specialty plastics and compounding technology to provide material solutions that can be used in multiple 3D printers.