Dongkuk Steel, Develops Korea's First High-Content Biomass Color Steel Sheet

by Choi Seoyoon

Published 10 Nov.2022 09:21(KST)

‘Luxteel BM-PCM’, Expanding Eco-Friendly Color Steel Sheet Lineup

Dongkuk Steel eco-friendly color steel sheet new product 'Luxteel BM-PCM'. Photo by Dongkuk Steel

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Seoyoon] Dongkuk Steel announced on the 10th that it has developed 'Luxteel BM-PCM,' an eco-friendly color steel sheet using more than 60% biomass for the first time in Korea.

Biomass is a raw material made by pyrolyzing and fermenting recyclable plants or microorganisms. It is classified as an eco-friendly material because it can reduce carbon emissions by replacing petroleum-based raw materials. Dongkuk Steel has been researching manufacturing technology for eco-friendly color steel sheets using biomass to meet the global demand from home appliance and construction companies for eco-friendly materials.

Dongkuk Steel maximized the biomass content to 63% through joint research with a domestic paint company. Until now, the maximum biomass content in released biomass color steel sheets was 30%.

Dongkuk Steel expanded the biomass content by applying biomass to both the petroleum-based components of the paint used to color and functionalize the steel sheets, namely the 'solvent' and 'resin.' With the development of Luxteel BM-PCM, Dongkuk Steel expects to reduce carbon emissions by nearly half compared to existing petroleum-based paint products.

Despite more than doubling the content of eco-friendly raw materials, Dongkuk Steel secured stable quality in terms of physical properties and color. To expand the versatility of eco-friendly color steel sheets, Dongkuk Steel also secured cost competitiveness through diversifying raw material suppliers and adjusting formulations.

Dongkuk Steel completed line testing of Luxteel BM-PCM last month. After productivity verification and consultations with customers in the second half of the year, full-scale commercialization will begin in the first half of next year.

Luxteel BM-PCM is an expansion of Dongkuk Steel's eco-friendly color steel sheet lineup. In March, Dongkuk Steel introduced the world's first solvent-free color steel sheet, 'Luxteel BM Uniglass,' and has sold about 1,000 tons to date. Dongkuk Steel expects continuous expansion in sales of eco-friendly color steel sheets due to increasing demand for eco-friendly products.