HomeBusiness AreasChemicals
In order to respond to intensifying competition in the Korean chemicals industry and market changes and achieve sustainable growth, Samsung C&T is strengthening its presence in the value chain through horizontal expansion, increase in the number of strategic products, collaboration with business partners, and concentration in target areas and maintaining stable growth of its businesses through accurate market analyses and rigorous risk management activities.

In addition, the company continues to strengthen its status as a world-best general chemicals company through development of new businesses-investment in production facilities, construction of overseas logistics bases and acquisition of equity in polyester production facilities-and cultivation of an expert workforce.
Samsung C&T has been a front runner in providing petrochemical products trading service since 1989. Professional traders stationed at more than 20 offices around the world with a chemical division-including China, Taiwan, Japan, U.S., Germany and UAE-allow Samsung to trade with the world's leading petrochemical and chemical companies. It is also renewing its effort to secure regular customers by making equity investments in production facilities.

The main petrochemicals traded by Samsung include BTX, Olefin, SM, PTA, and PX. Samsung’s business exchange with major oil refiners such as Exxon, BP, Shell, and Nippon Oil and chemical giants such as BASF and Bayer provides it a foothold as a global petrochemical trader.
Since 1989, Samsung has served as an export channel for Korean plastic companies by taking advantage of its excellent manpower and global network. By diversifying suppliers in 1995, it has transformed into a specialized plastics distributor that now exports to customers in 25 countries.

Samsung C&T deals in a number of engineering plastics such as general purpose PE/PP, PVC, PET, and ABS and reinforces its global distribution network through partnerships with major Korean and global chemicals companies such as Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co., Ltd. and Cheil Industries Inc. and IPCC, RIL.

Samsung also provides tailored distribution services such as VMI (Vendor Management Inventory) and Compounding by using its global network in China, Southeast Asia, and Americas. It is also trying to gain a long-term high value-added market through investment in downstream areas, one example being its investment in a film processing plant in Vietnam.
Since 1975, Samsung C&T’s has been a leading provider of export, import, and offshore trading services and investment in organic chemicals, utilizing its logistics infrastructure and global network of 20 offices specializing in chemicals.

The over 100 different types of chemicals traded by Samsung include methanol, phenol, solvents, monomers, and petroleum products. Samsung C&T maintains solid partnerships with multinational chemical companies such as Methanex (Canada), InesoPhenol (U.S.), and MGC (Japan) and major Korean chemical companies such as LG Chem. Ltd, Samsung BP Chemicals, and Samsung Total Petrochemicals Co.

In addition Samsung currently operates chemical storage tanks in Ulsan (52,000㎘), Yeosu (33,000㎘), Pyeongtaek (31㎘), and Busan (7,000㎘) with a total combined storage capacity of 143,000 ㎘. The company also operates a tank terminal in the Godau Industrial complex in Vietnam, vigorously expanding its business scope in an attempt to secure more logistics centers.

Samsung is placing greater focus on equity investment for establishing and securing production and logistics bases to ensure reliable supply of chemicals. Negotiations for establishment of basic chemical companies that specialize in formaldehyde and urea resin and equity investment in Vietnam are also underway.
Samsung launched its inorganic chemicals and fertilizers trading business in 1976, and since then it has devoted a significant amount of resources providing the best quality products and services to customers.

Major items traded include inorganic chemicals such as soda ash and acetic acid and fertilizers such as urea and DAP. Samsung's partnership with major customers in Russia, China and Thailand and major Korean chemical companies such as Samsung BP Chemicals, Tongsuh Petrochemicals Co. Ltd., and Namhae Chemicals Corporation make its business ever competitive.

Samsung C&T seeks to increase its supply capabilities by securing fertilizer source material and secure sales markets by investing in fertilizer plants in Southeast Asia in effort to become a major trader in fertilizer. The company also seeks to establish a stable profit base in the field of inorganic chemicals by securing long-term sales markets through investment in logistics facilities, and develop businesses in source material for inorganic chemical products used in high-tech industries and organic compounds that can substitute natural resources.
Samsung C&T launched its fine chemicals trading business in 1989, and since the mid 90s, it has devoted a significant amount of resources into the development of its fine chemicals business. Samsung’s expanded business scope into the medical and polyurethane industries ensures the highest quality to customers.

Major items traded include inorganic chemicals such as soda ash and acetic acid, fine & specialty chemicals such as sodium cyanide, raw materials for polyurethane (PPG, TDI, MDI) and pharmaceuticals. Samsung's partnership with major customers in China, Europe, South America and Africa and major Korean chemical companies such as Samsung Fine Chemicals, Cheil Textile, Taekwang Industrial, Korea Polyol Co, and Tongsuh Petrochemicals Co. Ltd. make its business ever competitive.

Samsung C&T seeks to increase supply through equity investment in polyurethane, powder paint and additive makers and pioneer new markets in mining chemicals through provision of logistics services in Latin America and Africa. It also seeks to further globalize its business by reinforcing R&D, production and distribution functions for fine chemicals to create new business opportunities.