LG Chem completes expansion on Yeosu plant in South Jeolla

LG Chem said Wednesday that it has finished expansion work on the Yeosu plant in South Jeolla, which produces crude acrylic acid (CAA) and super absorbent polymer (SAP).

CAA is a material used to produce paint, while SAP is needed to make various products like diapers and sanitary pads.

The company said the CAA line was expanded by 160,000 tons to produce a total capacity of 510,000 tons per year. The SAP line, on the other hand, was expanded by 80,000 tons, to have 360,000 tons of annual capacity - the fifth- and fourth-largest in the world, respectively, in terms of production.

LG Chem is the only Korean company producing CAA. The company also said it plans to grow its SAP business, up from the current of 1.1 trillion won to 1.7 trillion won ($927 million to $1.4 billion) by 2020.