S.Korea's D-Rex Polymer starts making green adhesive

South Korean petrochemical company DL Chemical on Thursday said its subsidiary D-Rex Polymer on April 1 began production of an eco-friendly adhesive at its plant in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, under a plan to develop DL Chemical into a specialty company of high added value.

As a joint venture between DL Chemical and the American petrochemical company Rextack, D-Rex Polymer late last year completed the factory with annual capacity of 40,000 tons. After a trial operation of about three months, the facility since April 1 has produced the adhesive amorphous poly alpha olefin (APAO).

The completion ceremony held that day was attended by DL Chemical Vice Chairman and CEO Kim Jong-hyun, D-Rex Polymer CEO Kim Man-jung and Yeosu Deputy Mayor Kim Jong-shi.

APAO is applied to bond types of plastics.

"D-Rex's APAO is non-volatile and has almost no odor," a DL Chemical source said. "We expect its use as a raw material for products coming in contact with skin like diapers and sanitary napkins."

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com