Source: Chemical Engineering Newspaper (Japan) June 27th 2000 SK NJC was established in 1998 and vested by SK chemicals (Korea), New Japan Chemical Co., and Mitsuibishi Co. with shares of 60 %, 30 % and 10 % respectively to commercialize CHDM. It is the first company producing CHDM monomer and is aiming at marketing and establishing new markets for CHDM. SK NJC has an ideal structure for business by integrating high quality material such as DMT provided by SK chemicals, manufacturing and plant operation technology of New Japan Chemical Co. and the worldwide marketing capacity of Mitsuibishi Co. In addition, this business is fully supported by the International Cooperation Bank as a strategic joint business between Korea and Japan and has acquired favorable comments domestically and internationally. CHDM is the only cyclic aliphatic diol that can be produced commercially and presents non-crystalline features when used as a PET modifier. It can make PET with superior transparency and shock resistance due to increased glass transition temperature. The polyester co-polymers made in this way (A-PET, PETG) are already commercialized for injection molding parts and extrusion molding film/sheeting. But, there is only one supplier and the production of CHDM can only meet the demand. SK NJC has succeeded in the commercialization of hardly accessible CHDM by adopting compact and economical manufacturing technology. SK NJC plans to supply CHDM not only for PET plants of SK chemicals but also for all purposes and customers. Furthermore, efforts will be made to open a market in Japan, where New Japan Chemical Co. and Mitsuibishi Co. will be in charge of marketing. The sale of hardly accessible CHDM for general users by SK chemicals will encourage the production of PETG by other companies. However, the advantage of CHDM market is not limited to that. CHDM has been well known for its usefulness as a material for polyester resin but has been hardly accessible. Therefore, the use of CHDM by polyester resin manufacturers will promote diversity in products. To put it concretely, it can be used for various high performance films in packaging, optics and semiconductor fields, for optical materials and for heat resistant super engineering plastics. It also can be used in paints or adhesive fields other than polyester fields. SK NJC is planning a consecutive expansion. The 10,000 MT/Yr capacity plant is designed to be expandable up to 30,000 MT/Yr capacity in the near future. SK NJC will contribute to the development of Korea, Japan and world industry through support on materials development and its application as well as will contribute to environmental protection by offering environmentally friendly PET.