In recent years, damages caused by abnormal weather patterns and destruction of the ecosystem have been frequently reported by the media. Climate change due to environmental pollution has become an urgent task that threatens humanity. The Hyosung Group has been putting into practice its green management philosophy, having developed a wide range of environment-friendly technologies in order for more people to enjoy a cleaner environment. Do you want to hear more about some of the environment-friendly stories by Hyosung?
Smart Grid combines IT and power technology to allow real-time information to be sent and received between power suppliers and consumers in both directions; such information is then used to optimize energy efficiency. In 2010, Hyosung Heavy Industries was the first company in Korea to supply a Smart Grid product to Korea Electric Power Corporation’s Shinjeju Substation and Halla Substation. They were supplied with 2 units of 50MVA STATCOM (static reactive power compensation device). STATCOM is a device that prevents power loss during electricity transmission/distribution and increases the stability of electric power transportation.
Hyosung TNC's Creora Eco-soft is a product whose temperature setting can be configured at about 15~20℃ lower than ordinary Spandex. It can reduce energy consumption by fabric manufacturers, delivering benefits such as reduced costs and improved productivity. Above all, carbon emissions are reduced as a lesser amount of fossil fuels is used. For example, suppose 4% Creora Eco-soft -- which weighs 250grams / yard – is used to make 10,000 shirts. In the manufacturing process, the temperature could be lowered by 15℃, and this can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 120kg. This is equivalent to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed over a 6-year period by 100cm2 of a 35-year-old pine forest.
As a new material for the future industry, polyketone is manufactured using carbon monoxide. Hyosung Chemical developed a proprietary polyketone and succeeded in commercializing it for the first time in the world, known to the world under the brand name POKETONETM. POKETONE is attracting interest as a promising new polymer because of its high impact resistance, high chemical resistance, high abrasion resistance, and environment-friendly characteristics (no formaldehyde can be detected). The manufacture of POKETONE uses carbon monoxide, a byproduct generated in the process of making hydrogen gas. In the future, by using carbon monoxide extracted from the gas generated when municipal wastes are incinerated, POKETONE will be well-positioned to become the eco-friendly material of the future.
Regarded as environment-friendlier than an electric car, a hydrogen-powered car (hydroelectric car) can be fully refueled in 3~5 minutes; this is a groundbreaking performance considering the 20~30 minutes’ recharging time needed by an electric car. For its fuel, it uses hydrogen, an environment-friendly, sustainable, non-polluting source of energy. It has garnered tremendous interest as a means of transportation for the future because it does not produce any air pollutants such as carbon dioxide. In 2008, Hyosung Heavy Industries succeeded in developing Korea’s first 700-bar hydrogen refueling station system and built a 700-bar hydrogen refueling station in Seoul.
It goes without saying that the firefighter uniform and gloves that protect lives must be made of inflammable material. Flame-retardant is used in this application; the problem is that, during the product disposal phase, flame retardants generate toxic substances that pollute the environment. Moreover, flame retardants can be lethal to human health when the human body is exposed to them. ALKEX is the brand name of aramid fiber produced by Hyosung Advanced Materials, which can be used for such applications. ALKEX has excellent flame-retarding properties, and it is 5 times stronger than steel -- so strong that it is impenetrable by a bullet. This product is used in many industries such as military weapons industry, optical fibers, and automobile. ALKEX boasts of high strength, high heat resistance, and excellent tensile strength.
As a reinforcement material made from fibers, tire cord is installed in the rubber section of tires to enhance their durability, drivability, and stability. Note, however, that conventional rayon tire cords are manufactured by dissolving pulp using sulfuric acid, which is highly toxic. In contrast, Hyosung's high-grade, lyocell tire cord uses cellulosic material extracted from wood; it can reduce air pollutants such as carbon disulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and other harmful substances generated in the manufacturing process to almost zero; thus preventing air and water pollution.
Most of the buses we take daily to go to our workplaces and back to our homes use CNG, a natural gas; thus, the fine dust produced by public transportation could be reduced. Hyosung Heavy Industries contributes significantly to such CNG infrastructure through its CNG fueling station, becoming firmly established as a supplier of environment-friendly, highly efficient CNG fueling stations.
Carbon fiber is a super-light yet high-strength material that is 4 times lighter but 10 times stronger than steel. In Korea, Hyosung Advance Material was the first company to develop carbon fiber, and it launched its carbon fiber under the brand name TANSOME. Automobiles with carbon fiber adopted in its frames, roof, and side panels are light and can be driven with a smaller amount of fuel. Carbon fiber is recognized for its stability and functionality and is used in a diverse range of products. It is also used to make high-pressure CNG (natural gas) cylinders, contributing to the development of the market for CNG, a natural gas that is regarded as a very promising eco-friendly alternative energy source.
Hyosung TNC became the first company in Korea to develop an eco-friendly polyester yarn called ‘REGEN’ using recycled PET bottles. Using technology for extracting and recycling useful components of discarded PET bottles, REGEN acquired the GRS (Global Recycle Standard) certification issued by Control Union, a Dutch certifier of environment-friendliness. This was the first time such certification was given to recycled polyester fiber, and it proves that REGEN is recognized worldwide as an environment-friendly product. ‘MIPAN REGEN’ is the world’s nylon raw material made using discarded fishing nets, which is an example of a “post-consumer waste material.” Currently, nylon can be made using waste material from industrial processes -- an example of “pre-consumer waste.”
With distributed power generation systems that utilize renewable energy sources -- such as wind power and solar power generation -- attracting interest, energy storage systems (ESS) have become essential in rectifying the irregularities of renewable energy sources caused by their dependence on the vagaries of the climate. In a conventional power grid, the supplied power is adjusted after estimating the demand. Note, however, that any unused electric power has to be discarded. This is where ESS comes into play; ESS stores the generated electric power so that it could be consumed more efficiently later. Hyosung Heavy Industries supplied ESS systems to the Agricultural and Marine Products Wholesale Market in Guri, Gapa-do, an island south of Jeju, and Gasa-do Island in Jeollanam-do Province. These installations realized lower electricity costs and more stable supply of electric power. With the installation of ESS systems in the Pyeongchang Wind Farm and the Yeongheung Solar Power Plant (operated by the Korea South-East Power Company), the company is realizing the vision of a future energy market.
Compiled by | Editors
Illustrations | Yiji