KCC Signs Business Agreement with Murim P&P for 'Eco-Friendly Paint Development'

Combining Eco-Friendly Water-Based Paint Manufacturing Technology with Murim P&P's Natural New Material Technology to Accelerate ESG Management

Kim Beom-seong, Head of KCC Central Research Institute (Executive Director, photo left), and Lim Young-gi, Head of Murim P&P Research Institute (Director), are taking a photo after signing an MOU at the KCC Central Research Institute.
[Photo by KCC]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] KCC and Moorim P&P have embarked on developing eco-friendly paint using a new material extracted from natural pulp.

Global advanced materials company KCC and pulp, paper, and new materials comprehensive company Moorim P&P announced on the 20th that they signed a strategic business agreement (MOU) on the 17th to develop eco-friendly paint applying the new material nanocellulose. Moorim P&P is the only pulp manufacturer in Korea and possesses core technology to produce nanocellulose from natural raw pulp. KCC and Moorim P&P plan to establish a cooperative relationship, including jointly developing eco-friendly water-based paint applying the nanocellulose new material.

The eco-friendly water-based paint jointly developed by the two companies applies the new material nanocellulose. Nanocellulose is a substance obtained by processing wood into wood chips, undergoing pulping, and extracting cellulose fibers from natural pulp, then splitting them into nanometer-sized particles. It weighs about one-fifth that of iron but has five times greater strength, making it a next-generation eco-friendly new material recently gaining attention. In particular, the nanocellulose applied to this eco-friendly paint is extracted from natural pulp directly produced by Moorim P&P, offering superior viscosity and hydrophilicity compared to existing nanocellulose, optimizing it for water-based paint. The nanocellulose fibers are more densely connected, minimizing film cracking and providing excellent durability against scratches and friction.

The water-based paint applying nanocellulose has low viscosity during spray application, enabling uniform work, and exhibits thixotropy, where viscosity increases after application. It also has sag resistance, maintaining a uniform coating surface without flowing after application. Being made from eco-friendly materials extracted from wood, it is expected to be highly regarded as a product that considers both the work environment and workers' health. KCC plans to commercialize this by applying the characteristics of nanocellulose to various paint raw materials used across industries such as automotive, industrial, and construction.

Kim Beom-seong, Executive Director and Head of KCC Central Research Institute, said, "The MOU between the two companies is expected to accelerate the development of products applying eco-friendly materials. Especially, the nanocellulose applied this time is a carbon-neutral material different from existing chemical materials, with excellent eco-friendliness and the ability to upgrade product quality, which will create great synergy with KCC paint." He added, "KCC will continue to accelerate the development of eco-friendly products and expand its lineup, making every effort to realize ESG management."

Lim Young-gi, Director and Head of Moorim P&P Research Institute, said, "By applying Moorim's natural pulp-based new material, the only one produced domestically, we will present a new standard for eco-friendly products with differentiated quality competitiveness and further accelerate the development of various eco-friendly materials that add value to daily life."

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