Kumho Petrochemical

Kumho Petrochemical Co. (KKPC) (Korean: 금호석유화학 주식회사) is a South Korean chemical company headquarters in Seoul. As of 2012^[update], Kumho Petrochemical was the largest the manufacturing of synthetic rubbers with the world's largest production capacity based on styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and butadiene rubber (BR) according to the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP).

Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

Native name	금호석유화학
Company type	Public company
Traded as	KRX: 011780
Industry	Chemicals industry
Founded	28 December 1970; 54 years ago (1970-12-28)
Founder	Park In-chon
Headquarters	Seoul, South Korea
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Park Chan-koo (Chairman & CEO), Kim Seong-Chae (President & CEO)
Products	Synthetic rubbers Synthetic resins Specialty chemicals
Owner	Park Chan-koo
Number of employees	1,358 (2012)
Subsidiaries	Kumho P&B Chemicals, Kumho Polychem, Kumho Mitsui Chemicals, Kumho Trading, Kumho T&L
Website	kkpc.com

Yeosu Synthetic Rubber Plant II

Ulsan Synthetic Rubber Plant

Ulsan Synthetic Resin Plant

The company focuses on synthetic rubbers, synthetic resins, specialty chemicals, electronic chemicals, energy, building materials and advanced materials as its core business.^[1]

History

Foundation and early years

It was founded in 1970 when Kumho Group struggled to secure raw materials for its bus and tire businesses.

In 2011, Kumho Petrochemical was ranked at 1806th of 'the Global 2000' by Forbes. In 2013, it became a component of the KOSPI 100 index, which tracks 100 major companies listed on the Korea Stock Exchange.^[2]

It changed its name from 'Korea Kumho Petrochemical' to 'Kumho Petrochemical' effective 15 February 2012.^[3]

Management Issues 2012

At the end of 2012, Kumho Petrochemical ended its restructuring program under creditors supervision successfully with its highest credit rating of 'A−' (Stable) by Korea Investors Service.^[4] It was the first success case since Kumho Asiana Group entered into a 'workout' program to pay down the debt at the end of 2009.

It resulted from its independent management from its parent 'Kumho Asiana Group,' based on the creditors' agreement which Park Chan-koo, fourth son of founder and chairman of Kumho Petrochemical, took responsibility for Kumho Petrochemical and its subsidiaries, and Park Sam-koo, third son and Kumho group chairman, for Kumho Tire since February 2010.^[5] Kumho Petrochemical is struggling to separate the company and its affiliates from Kumho Asiana Group.^[6]

Split and growth 2015-Present

It was spun off from Kumho Asiana Group in December 2015.^[7] The Kumho Petrochemical's logo which it had used since 2006 had the Kumho Asiana Group's red "Wing" symbol removed from the logo after the company and its sister companies were spun off into Kumho Petrochemical Group.

Products

Synthetic Rubbers

Kumho Petrochemical's main business is synthetic rubbers. It has built up market leadership at general synthetic rubbers such as BR(Butadiene Rubber) and SBR(Styrene-butadiene Rubber) over 40 years. World's top-tier tire makers are its long-term customers. Recently, it also has developed and delivered eco-friendly and high energy-efficient synthetic rubbers such as S-SBR(Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber) and Nd-BR(Neodymium Polybutadiene Rubber) which EU tire label requires.^[8][9]

Specialty Chemicals

Kumho Petrochemical has the world's second largest production capacity of 6PPD, antioxidant products for industrial rubbers. It has created synergy effects through vertical integration of synthetic rubbers and specialty chemicals businesses.

Synthetic resins

Synthetic resins are another biggest businesses of Kumho Petrochemical based on sales revenue. It delivers general and high-performance plastic materials such as PS (polystyrene), ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), EPS (expandable polystyrene), SAN (styrene acrylonitrile), PPG (polypropylene glycol), etc.

Others

Electronic chemicals, combined heat and power plants, carbon-nano-tube materials are other growing business of Kumho Petrochemical. It produces raw electronic materials for use in semiconductors and display components, and operates combined heat and power plants to provide energy to its own affiliates. It is venturing into the future high-tech carbon-nano-tube materials business.

Affiliates

• Kumho P&B Chemicals provides BPA (bisphenol A), MIBK (methyl isobutyl ketone), epoxy resin, phenol, and acetone. In terms of production capacity, it is 5th BPA maker and 9th phenol maker in the world. (founded in 1976)
• Kumho Polychem provides EPDM(ethylene propylene diene monomer) with 4th largest production capacity in the world. (founded in 1985)
• Kumho Mitsui Chemicals provides MDI(methylene diphenyl diisocyanate). (founded in 1989)
• Kumho Trading (founded in 2000)
• Kumho T&L (founded in 2009)