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SEOUL, Sept. 5 (Korea Bizwire) — Local researchers have found a new way to produce synthetic graphite, a highly useful substance, from inexpensive petroleum.
The Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology (KRICT) announced yesterday that Dr. Im Ji-seon’s research team had developed technology that can produce “pitch” using oil residue for the first time in Korea.
The technology has been transferred to Dongyang Environment, a company that focuses on the production of eco-friendly commercial services and supplies.
Synthetic graphite boasts a high conductivity rate of electricity and heat, and is used widely in the production of anode materials found in smartphones, televisions and computer parts.
South Korea currently relies entirely on imports of anode materials, the demand for which is expected to rise exponentially in the near future due to the increasing popularity of electric cars.
In order to produce synthetic graphite, a core substance known as pitch is required.
Pitch is produced from petroleum residue left behind after crude oil is refined into petrol or diesel oil, a process that has been possible until now only in a few countries such as the U.S., Japan and Germany.
Dr. Im’s research team was able to develop the technology to extract pitch, which is highly prized due to its price competitiveness.
The research team also added that the new technology allows corporations to obtain pitch by using existing production facilities previously installed for other processes.
H. S. Seo (hsseo@koreabizwire.com)
