Kolon Industries successfully completes expansion of ‘super fiber’ Aramid production

▷ Doubling its Aramid production in Gumi Plant – to be available for full-blown sale from early next year 

▷ Firming up its dominant position as Korea’s no. 1 with an annual production capacity of 15,310 tonnes 

▷ Completed a next-generation smart factory with fully automated processes and eco-friendly technology 

Kolon Industries (CEO and President Kim Young-beom) has successfully completed the expansion of its Aramid plant and will shortly begin full-scale production and sales. 

Kolon Industries announced on the 20th that it has invested KRW 298.9 billion in its Gumi plant to complete the expansion of its Aramid (product name: Heracron) production facilities with an annual capacity of 7,810 tonnes. This has enabled the company to achieve a total production capacity of 15,310 tonnes in 18 years since it started Korea’s first Aramid production in 2005. This is the largest production volume in Korea. 

The production process is currently being refined through test runs, and the increased volume is expected to be out on the market from early next year. 

Aramid is a ‘super fiber’, a next-generation material that has a strength five times that of steel and can withstand extreme temperatures of over 500 degrees. It is used as a core material in a wide range of cutting-edge products such as body armor, optical cables, electric vehicle tires and brake pads. 

The expanded Aramid plant has been built as a next-generation smart factory combining state-of-the-art ICT technology. A real-time monitoring system has been introduced to ensure uniform quality control across the entire polymerization and production process. The fully-automated unmanned packaging process, in particular, is expected to increase productivity while at the same time reducing the risk of safety incidents. 

In addition, eco-friendly technology has been incorporated in many areas. Most notably, the energy source for operating the plant has been switched from fossil fuels to a mixed combustion of biogas so as to reduce carbon emissions. Also, more than 35% of the wastewater generated can be re-used after chemical treatment. Systems to reduce pollution have been introduced including an air pollutant retrieval process, leading to a more eco-friendly business site. 

CEO Kim Yeong-beom said, “We are pleased to have completed the Aramid expansion within this year as planned amidst a difficult external business environment”, and added “we intend to enhance both the profitability and quality of Aramid by expanding production capacity as well as establishing a portfolio of high value-added products.” 

Also in May this year, Kolon Industries announced plans to double its Aramid pulp production from 1,500 tonnes to 3,000 tonnes, in line with the growing demand for Aramid pulp ahead of the implementation of EURO7 automobile emission regulations. The plant expansion is due to be completed in the second half of next year.