Tire cord maker Kolon Industries partners for bio-based polyesters

SEOUL, South Korea—Kolon Industries Inc. has entered a joint development agreement to industrialize the production of bio-based polyesters to be used for tire cords, among other products.

The South Korea-based industrial group has partnered with Finnish forestry firm Stora Enso Oyj. to develop bio-based polymers using the Helsinki-based company's technology.

The two will aim to industrialize Stora Enso's proprietary process to produce furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF).

Both FDCA and HMF can be used as feedstock in the production of bio-polyesters, such as polyethylene furanoate.

Target application areas include packaging, car tire reinforcements and films for electronics, panels and displays, said Stora Enso.

The partnership sets "a foundation for building a new bio-plastics ecosystem," according to Kolon Group Chief Technology Officer Sung Han.

"We will continue to accelerate the development of sustainable polymer technologies for a greener environment," he stated.

Stora Enso produces FDCA-based organic compounds and HMF through its biotechnology labeled FuraCore.