Yuhan-Kimberly Launches Korea's First Paper-Based Urine Absorbent

Development of Paper Oil Absorbent Material through Industry-Academia Collaboration at Kangwon National University

Yuhan-Kimberly announced on the 28th that it has launched a paper-based urine absorbent material. Photo by Yuhan-Kimberly

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] Yuhan-Kimberly announced on the 28th that it has launched an oil-absorbing material made of paper.

The new product is an innovative item that selectively absorbs oil without absorbing water despite being made of paper material. It was developed through industry-academia collaboration. Made of 100% paper, it is environmentally friendly and can absorb up to about eight times its weight in oil.

Yuhan-Kimberly explained that the oil-absorbing material is mainly used for marine oil spill response, selectively adsorbing oil without absorbing water in marine situations where oil is spilled at sea, or as floor mats to maintain cleanliness in industrial facilities.

The core technology of the paper oil-absorbing material, the paper hydrophobization treatment method, was developed and patented by Kangwon National University’s Changgang Paper Research Institute with support from the Korea Evaluation Institute of Industrial Technology (KEIT) under the industrial materials core technology development project. Yuhan-Kimberly acquired an exclusive license for this technology, focusing on its eco-friendliness and innovation. Both parties have collaborated since 2017 to commercialize the new technology.

A representative from Yuhan-Kimberly’s Life Innovation Research Institute said, "We plan to continuously expand the product lineup applying sustainable materials such as paper oil-absorbing materials and continuously create new markets."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.