Kumho Petrochemical beefs up safety
Kumho Petrochemical has improved its facility safety and monitoring systems to provide eco-friendlier workplaces. Its factories in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province, and Asan, South Chungcheong Province, have renewed their accident-free records in line with company-wide efforts.
“We have made safer and eco-friendlier working environments by improving our management system and educational program,” a Kumho Petrochemical official said. “As a petrochemical firm dealing with various chemicals, our management system is fully aware of and prepared for safer management of raw materials used for our products.”
The Seoul-based firm adopted a stricter chemical management system last year to monitor and approve its chemicals in every stage of distribution ─ purchase, storage, usage and sales.
To obey the revised act concerning registration and evaluation of chemical substances, it has submitted information on its chemicals to the Ministry of Environment and registered them on the government’s list as well.
In particular, Kumho P&B Chemicals, a joint venture between Kumho Petrochemical and Nippon Steel Chemical Company of Japan, is cooperating with other chemical firms to register Bisphenol-A, a raw material of synthetic resins. It also joined seminars and forums last month at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province, to talk about risk evaluation of chemicals with officials from the government, academic fields and civic groups.
Kumho T&L, a logistics unit of Kumho Petrochemical, added social media to the company’s management system, so that all workers can immediately respond to environment and safety issues. Its 5C Campaign ─ standing for Correctness, Clearance, Cleaning, Checking and Concentration ─ is expected to improve workplace safety and cleanliness as well.
Recently, Kumho Petrochemical has begun to reduce emissions of harmful substances.
Kumho Polychem, a joint venture between Kumho Petrochemical and Japan Synthetic Rubber, adopted the nation’s first mechanical vapor recompressor to its whole product line in its Yeosu plant. The recompressor allows the reuse of steam emitted from the product line. The company expects to reduce up to 160,000 tons of greenhouse gases a year at the facility.
“Our affiliates are preparing for new and renewable energy, such as wind and solar power,” a Kumho Petrochemical official said. “Our 12 factories will change their lights to LED by the end of 2019. We expect to reduce carbon emissions significantly after the process.”