Korea Paper (027970) is stepping up its push into the nanocellulose-based high-functional materials business, aiming to secure future growth drivers through high-value materials.
The integrated paper company said Tuesday it will expand its business into materials industries such as nanocellulose, building on the raw material and process technologies accumulated in its existing paper business.
Nanocellulose is a high-functional material made by refining cellulose fibers, the raw material for paper, to the nanometer scale. With a finer structure than ordinary cellulose, it is light and strong, and can provide various functions including dispersibility, viscosity control, film formation, and reinforcement effects. Based on these properties, its potential applications are being explored in various high-functional materials sectors, including special coating additives, cellulose composites, electronic materials, and secondary batteries.
Korea Paper has been pursuing research and development related to nanocellulose since 2018, and currently sells nanocellulose for special coating additives. The company is reviewing plans to broaden its scope of application beyond special coating additives to various high-functional materials sectors. Through this, it plans to link its existing technological capabilities to future growth drivers and strengthen its mid- to long-term growth foundation in the high-value materials industry.
"Nanocellulose is a high-functional material that can expand into various industries such as packaging, coatings, composites, electronic materials, and secondary batteries," said Kang Jun-seok, CEO of Korea Paper. "We will discover new growth opportunities in the materials industry beyond our existing paper business and continue to pursue research and development to create high added value."
