Hyosung has launched an integrated production technology center to strengthen quality management. The center oversees the technical operations of Hyosung’s major processes and facilities in the textile, advanced materials and chemical sectors. It consists of 26 key technology experts in four teams from Hyosung R&DB Labs, Hyosung TNC, Hyosung Advanced Materials, and Hyosung Chemical.
The center aims at refining technology through collaboration with technology experts of main plants and Hyosung R&DB Labs in designing new processes and improving the existing production processes. It plans to strengthen its manpower by securing and training experts in the basic design of production processes and major facilities.
Hyosung holds 548 patents related to textiles, 708 patents related to advanced materials and 1,037 patents related to the chemical at home and abroad. It seeks to create a synergy of its proprietary technologies.
“We are not content with the idea that the world’s No.1 products mean the world’s No.1 technologies. We will achieve ‘technology convergence’ by adding technology to technology,” Hyosung Chairman Hyun-Joon Cho said.
Nine Hyosung products are rated first-class in the world. Of them, spandex, polyester tire cord and seat belt yarn are products for which Hyosung holds the largest share of the global market.
MoU signed with Saudi Aramco
Hyosung Chairman Cho Hyun-Joon signed a memorandum of understanding with Amin H. Nasser, President and CEO of Saudi Aramco, a global petrochemical company of Saudi Arabia, at Conrad Seoul in Yeouido, Seoul, on June 25 to consider building a carbon fiber plant.
Under the MoU, Hyosung and Saudi Aramco will positively consider a plan to build carbon fiber plants in Saudi Arabia and South Korea through co-operation in the development and application of carbon fiber production technology.
Carbon fibers are four times lighter and 10 times stronger than steel. Hyosung developed carbon fibers in 2011 independently for the first time as a Korean company. It has operated a carbon fiber plant with the annual output capacity of 2,000 tons built in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, in 2013. Another carbon fiber plant with the same capacity is under construction on the premise of the Jeonju plant since February.
In March, Hyosung Chairman Cho had signed a wide-ranging MoU with Saudi Aramco for co-operation in projects related to chemicals, advanced materials, and hydrogen. Saudi Aramco was considering new projects in the fields of automobiles and new renewable energy, so it allegedly recognized the need to co-operate with Hyosung which had built up its own technology in advanced materials, including carbon fibers.
At that time, Ahmad A. Al-Sa’adi, Senior Vice President of Saudi Aramco and other executives visited the Hyosung carbon fiber plant in Jeonju, to inspect production lines carefully, and they verified Hyosung’s differentiated technology with their own eyes, putting their confidence in it.
Hyosung Chairman said: “I look forward to seeing carbon fiber and other new businesses grow down the road through the combination of Saudi Aramco’s management know-how and Hyosung’s proprietary technology.”