Aekyung Chemical said on the 20th it is pushing to complete by Oct. a system that recycles waste gas generated in the phthalic anhydride (PA) manufacturing process at its Ulsan plant as a heat source for production.
Until now, Aekyung Chemical refined the waste gas generated in the PA manufacturing process to produce and sell maleic anhydride (MA) as a byproduct. However, as the Chemical Substances Control Act was strengthened and the burden of safety and health related to the designation of hazardous chemical substances increased, along with safety management issues at partner companies, it decided to halt MA production. Instead, it decided to introduce equipment to recycle the waste gas from the PA process into steam rather than discarding it.
After the installation is completed, it will be possible to expect a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by cutting the use of liquefied natural gas (LNG), which had been used as a heat source. Aekyung Chemical expects an annual energy expense reduction of 3 billion won.
An Aekyung Chemical official said, "Even after halting MA production, we are carrying out a meaningful transition to circulate and utilize waste gas as an energy resource instead of simply releasing it," adding, "We will complete sustainable process innovation that harmonizes the environment and the economy."