SK Corp. said on the 28th that its board approved a plan to invest about 400 billion won to acquire common shares and convertible preferred shares (CPS) of SK ecoplant held by financial investors (FI).
The strategy is to maximize shareholder value by linking the growth potential secured in the semiconductor value chain by SK ecoplant to SK Corp.'s corporate value. If SK Corp. buys portions of the common shares and convertible preferred shares, its equity stake in SK ecoplant will rise to 71.2% from the current 66.7%.
On the same day, SK ecoplant began procedures, including convening an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders, to acquire the remaining convertible preferred shares worth about 650 billion won.
Behind SK Corp.'s decision is SK ecoplant's rebalancing (business restructuring) centered on semiconductor and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure businesses. In 2024, SK ecoplant incorporated Essencore and SK Airplus, which operate semiconductor businesses. In 2025, it added four semiconductor materials corporations—SK trichem, SK resonac, SK materials jnc, and SK materials performance.
SK ecoplant has expanded its business model to the AI data center institutional sector in addition to the semiconductor fabrication (FAB) engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) business, where it has demonstrated capabilities. Through this, it has secured competitiveness from supplying key semiconductor materials to resource circulation.
The results of the business restructuring were proven in performance. On a consolidation basis, SK ecoplant's revenue last year was 12.1916 trillion won, up 40% from 2024's 8.7346 trillion won. Operating profit also increased 40% over the same period, from 226.1 billion won to 315.9 billion won.
SK Corp. plans to enhance shareholder value by expanding its equity in SK ecoplant, a high-quality unlisted portfolio company, and accelerating value-up through this investment. An SK Corp. official said, "As SK ecoplant strengthens its business competitiveness and accelerates growth as a core member in the group's semiconductor value chain going forward, SK Corp.'s corporate value is also expected to rise together," adding, "As the holding company of SK Group, SK Corp. will continue to actively implement portfolio rebalancing focused on semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and energy solutions to raise corporate value."
Meanwhile, in Mar., SK Corp. resolved to cancel treasury shares amounting to about 20% of all outstanding shares, the largest among domestic holding companies. It also set the 2025 annual dividends at 8,000 won, up 14% from the previous year, continuing shareholder-friendly management by being classified as a high-dividend company that provides the benefit of separate taxation to shareholders.