Lotte Chemical [011170:KS], a South Korean chemical company, announced a USD501.5m investment plan to build plants for producing eco-friendly materials at its petrochemical complex in Daesan, as reported by Korean Economic Daily on February 7. The chemical company has reached an agreement with the Daesan government to develop facilities for battery electrolyte organic solvents, a critical component of lithium-ion batteries, as well as carbon capture and utilization (CCU). The facilities are expected to commercialize in 2H23.

Under the deal, Lotte Chemical intends to increase the annual production capacity of ethylene oxide adduct to 480,000 tons and triple its use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for ethylene production. This is in accordance with the South Korean conglomerate’s goal to invest KRW140bn (USD116.7m) by the end of 2022 to double LPG usage at its domestic units to 40%. Its factories in Daesan and Yeosu currently generate a total of 2.3m tons of ethylene per year. Lotte Group [004990:KS], the parent company of Lotte Chemical, has disclosed its eco-friendly policy, stating that it will invest KRW5.2tr (USD4.34bn) by 2030 to achieve carbon neutrality. The chemical unit is pursuing green business enhancements as part of the plan, with the goal of keeping greenhouse gas emissions at 2019 levels until 2030.

Sources:

https://www.koreatechtoday.com/lotte-group-promotes-eco-friendly-chemical-biz-green-promise-2030/

https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202202070014

https://www.kedglobal.com/newsView/ked202107060006?lang=