A Fiber 5 Times Stronger than Steel
Kolon Industries will double its output of aramid fibers (brand name: Heracron), which are a high-strength material that is five times stronger than steel and can withstand high temperatures of 500 degrees Celsius.
The company announced on June 24 that it will ramp up its annual output from 7,500 tons to 15,000 tons by expanding its aramid fiber production line in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province, by 2023.
Aramid fibers are called a magic thread because a 5-mm aramid fiber thread can lift a car that weighs two tons. Characterized by high strength and high tensile strength, aramid fibers are a reliable reinforcing material that supports optical cables for 5G communication.
On top of that, electric vehicles also fuel the growth of the aramid fiber market. Electric vehicles are heavier than internal combustion engine-powered vehicles but have a stronger acceleration power than the latter. So they require ultra-high performance (UHP) tires. Demand for aramid tire cords for UHP tires is also on the uptick.
Kolon Industries started its basic research on aramid fibers in 1979 and established a production facility for the third time in the world in 2005.