Kumho Mitsui Chemicals Starts Operations at Chlor-Alkali Plant
Kumho Mitsui Chemicals (KMCI) has upgraded its Methylene Diphenyl Diisocyanate (MDI) production process using thyssenkrupp nucera's latest-generation e-BiTAC v7 electrolyzer technology. thyssenkrupp nucera, one of the world's leading suppliers of technologies for high-efficiency electrolysis plants, designed and built a chlor-alkali plant for KMCI in Yeosu, South Korea, with an annual chlorine production capacity of 60,000 tons. The plant's commissioning was recently completed successfully.
Kumho Mitsui Chemicals (KMCI) has developed its methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) production process using thyssenkrupp nucera's latest-generation e-BiTAC v7 electrolyzer technology. thyssenkrupp nucera, a leading supplier of advanced technologies for high-efficiency electrolysis plants, designed and constructed a chlor-alkali plant for KMCI in Yeosu, South Korea, with an annual chlorine production capacity of 60,000 tonnes. The plant was successfully commissioned recently.
KMCI, a South Korean petrochemical company and a leading global polyurethane producer, will use the produced chlorine in MDI manufacturing, eliminating the need to import chlorine as a raw material. MDI is a key feedstock for the production of Spandex, TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), synthetic leather, footwear, paints, coatings, adhesives and various elastomers.
Additionally, the chlor-alkali plant will recycle the salt water by-product from MDI production, which would typically be discharged as wastewater. This enables KMCI to comply with strict environmental regulations concerning industrial wastewater while reducing its environmental footprint. KMCI General Manager Kwon Hyung Seob said, "The commissioning of our new chlor-alkali plant is an important step toward increasing our production capacity and securing independent MDI supply without importing chlorine. It also underscores our commitment to offering environmentally friendly products."
thyssenkrupp nucera first provided a laboratory cell pilot plant and technically validated the operability of the chlor-alkali plant using waste salt water from the MDI process. Subsequently, in 2021, the electrolyzer specialist received an engineering and procurement contract to design and supply the entire chlor-alkali plant. thyssenkrupp nucera Japan CEO Akira Shigeta said, "Our proven electrolyzer technology has once again made an important contribution to improving our customers' production processes and reducing their environmental footprints. By recycling the by-product salt water, KMCI and thyssenkrupp nucera have jointly addressed one of the most significant challenges facing the polyurethane industry."
Gallery
