LOTTE Chemical Develops ‘Fire-resistant Insulation Material’

 

█ Through approximately two years of research, developed ‘PIA Added Semi-nonflammable insulation
   material’ for the first time in Korea that is fire-resistant compared to existing ‘urethane insulator’
█ Semi-nonflammable material suitability certification and verified of non-detection of the hazardous
   substance, formaldehyde from national certification institutes
█ Expand to new use in architecture by utilizing the durability of the global top material, PIA
█ Basic Materials Business CEO Jin-gu Hwang, “By expanding the use of PIA, we will not only be able to
   enter new markets, but also provide safe products with eco-friendly functions”, “We will strengthen
   specialty product R&D to increase the functions of existing products, while also enhancing additional
   value”
 

 

LOTTE Chemical became the first in Korea to develop ‘PIA (Purified Isophthalic Acid) added semi-nonflammable insulation material’ that can retard the spread of fire.

Urethane insulators that use this material are semi-nonflammable products that burn less compared to existing urethane insulation materials, and in the case of fire, it reduces smoke by approximately 30%, thus mitigating damages caused by smoke.

In October of last year, it received verification of non-detection of the harmful substance, formaldehyde by the KOTITI Testing & Research Institute that specializes in analyzing pollutant emissions, and in August and November of last year, it received certification as a semi-nonflammable insulation material at the Samcheok and Ochang testing centers of the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL), which is a comprehensive testing agency, thus being recognized for its safety and functions.

PIA is a material used for PET bottles, dyes and paints, and it is manufactured exclusively by LOTTE Chemical in Korea. Its annual production capacity is 520,000 tons a year, which is the largest PA production in the world.

Taking notice of the flame-resistance of PIA that withstands high temperatures, LOTTE Chemical spent about two years in research to develop a material that made improvements on the weakness of existing urethane insulation materials. Insulators using this material are currently installed at the Dongtan Station LOTTE Shopping Town Front Castle and at the LOTTE Academy in Osan.

It is expected that due to the stronger safety and environmental standards, there will be an increase in demand for semi-nonflammable insulation materials. With the enactment of zero-energy architecture for carbon neutrality and the ‘Enforcement Decree of the Building Act’ that was revised in November 2019, use of flammable exterior materials are prohibited, and it has become mandatory to use semi-nonflammable insulation materials in buildings that are three stories or higher and nine meters or taller.

Basic Materials Business CEO Jin-gu Hwang said, “The development of new uses for PIA is an example of actively reflecting customer needs in the changing environment,” while adding, “By expanding research on the use of PIA, we will not only be able to enter new markets, but also provide safe products with eco-friendly functions.” He further stated, “We will strengthen specialty product R&D to increase the functions of existing products, while also enhancing additional value.”