Japanese firm Teijin Limited together with South Korean chemical producer SK Chemicals have set up a joint venture to develop and sell polyphenylene sulphide (PPS) resins and compounds in Ulsan, South Korea. Construction of a 12,000-tonne/year PPS resin plant began on 1 October. Teijin owns 34% of the new company, INITZ Co., Ltd., and SK Chemicals hold the remaining 66% share.

Working in cooperation with Teijin and SK Chemicals, INITZ will start by providing samples to selected customers in the automotive and electronics fields.

Focusing on customers especially in fast-growing Asian markets, it aims to become a world leader in PPS resin and compounds. A global market share of 20% and annual sales of KRW300 billion are envisioned by 2020.

INITZ expects to produce the world’s first chlorine- or sodium-free PPS resins utilising proprietary technologies of SK Chemicals.

PPS resin, a super engineering plastic, exhibits excellent thermal resistance, chemical resistance, mechanical strength and dimensional stability. The demand for PPS resin is expected to grow in line with the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles and the ongoing expansion of electronics markets in emerging countries.

With conventional PPS resins, chlorine and sodium from raw materials and byproducts remain in the resin, which can lead to the corrosion of moulds and functional deterioration of metal parts, such as defective contacts. Also, chlorine has potentially harmful environmental effects if burned.