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South Korea’s Petrochemical Industry to Cut Output by Up to 25% Amid Crisis

South Korea’s Petrochemical Industry to Cut Output by Up to 25% Amid Crisis

SEOUL, Aug. 20 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s embattled petrochemical industry has agreed to slash its core production capacity by as much as a quarter, in a government-backed effort to stave off collapse and reposition for higher-value growth. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said Wednesday that 10 companies operating naphtha cracking centers (NCCs) [...]

Petrochemical Giants Struggle with Prolonged Slump as Plant Utilization Plummets

Petrochemical Giants Struggle with Prolonged Slump as Plant Utilization Plummets

SEOUL, Aug. 18 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s major petrochemical companies are grappling with a deepening industry downturn, as key players reported average plant utilization rates falling below break-even thresholds during the first half of 2025, according to corporate filings reviewed on August 17. The average operating rates at leading firms—including Lotte Chemical, LG Chem, [...]

Korea’s First U.S. Investment Guarantee Emerges Following $200 Billion Bilateral Fund Agreement

Korea’s First U.S. Investment Guarantee Emerges Following $200 Billion Bilateral Fund Agreement

SEOUL, August 4 (Korea Bizwire) — In a major step following recent U.S.-South Korea trade negotiations, Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) has issued its first investment guarantee under a $200 billion bilateral fund aimed at boosting Korean business ventures in the United States. K-SURE announced Sunday that it will provide a $1 billion financial guarantee [...]

Gov’t Holds Emergency Meeting to Discuss Impact of U.S. Tariff on Copper Imports

Gov’t Holds Emergency Meeting to Discuss Impact of U.S. Tariff on Copper Imports

SEJONG, Aug. 1 (Korea Bizwire) — The Seoul government held an emergency meeting Friday to devise response measures to the United States’ new 50 percent tariffs on imported copper, the industry ministry said. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy met with officials from Korean companies that export copper-related products, including LS Metal and Poongsan [...]

Korea’s Petrochemical Industry Accelerates Restructuring Amid Oversupply and Weak Global Demand

Korea’s Petrochemical Industry Accelerates Restructuring Amid Oversupply and Weak Global Demand

SEOUL, June 13 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea’s petrochemical sector is ramping up restructuring talks, including potential consolidation of naphtha cracking center (NCC) facilities, as companies grapple with sustained oversupply from China and a prolonged global economic slowdown. The shift comes as the administration of President Lee Jae-myung prepares to roll out policy support for [...]

Government Declares Economic Emergency in Yeosu, Pledges Support for Petrochemical Sector

Government Declares Economic Emergency in Yeosu, Pledges Support for Petrochemical Sector

SEJONG, May 1 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korea has designated the southwestern city of Yeosu as an “industrial crisis response area” to help the ailing regional economy amid a slump in the petrochemical industry based in the area, the finance minister said Thursday. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok made the announcement in an economy-related ministers meeting, [...]

Lotte Energy Materials to Seek Copper Mark Certification for Malaysian Plant

Lotte Energy Materials to Seek Copper Mark Certification for Malaysian Plant

SEOUL, March 27 (Korea Bizwire) — Lotte Energy Materials Corp. said Thursday it will seek the Copper Mark, a global certification for the copper industry’s responsible production practices, for its Malaysian plant. The Copper Mark is a comprehensive social and environmental assurance system for copper production managed by the International Copper Association. Lotte Energy Materials [...]