Another Import Replacement Item

Hanwha Solutions succeeded in localizing xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), a high-value-added chemical material.
Hanwha Solutions succeeded in localizing xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), a high-value-added chemical material.

Hanwha Solutions has successfully localized a material for optical lenses which had been supplied exclusively by Japanese companies.

Hanwha Solutions announced on May 10 that it succeeded in localizing xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), a high-value-added chemical material.

XDI is a type of isocyanate compound which is the main raw material for polyurethane. In particular, high-purity XDI with a purity of 99.5 percent or higher is a high-value-added material about 10 times more expensive than general-purpose isocyanate. It is mainly used as a raw material for high-quality optical lenses about 30 percent thinner and clearer than conventional lenses due to its excellent transparency and refractive properties.

Korean optical lens manufacturers are expected to be able to secure stably the high-quality raw material as Hanwha Solutions succeeded in localizing high-purity XDI this time. This is because Korean optical lens manufacturers have had difficulties in securing XDI due to Mitsui Chemical's XDI market monopoly.

Yeosu Plant of Hanwha Solutions will begin XDI production beginning in May. XDI output from Yeosu Plant will reach 1200 tons per year. Hanwha Solutions became the world's second XDI producer after Japan's Mitsui Chemicals which can produce 5000 tons of XDI per year.

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