Tag: naphtha

naphtha

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Yeosu petrochemical overhaul wins government approval

Korea approved a restructuring plan for the complex in Yeosu, unlocking major state support as companies merge operations and pivot to higher-value products.

2026.7.22

A naphtha cracking facility at Yeochun NCC in Yeosu, Incheon, is shown in this photo taken on April 1. [YONHAP]

U.S. becomes largest naphtha exporter to Korea amid ongoing conflict in Iran

The United States has become the largest exporter of naphtha to Korea following the outbreak of the Iran war, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said Thursday.

2026.4.30

Most popular

Korea expected to secure up to 90% of prewar levels of naphtha supply for May: Industry Ministry

Korea is expected to secure up to 90 percent of pre-Iran war naphtha supplies for May, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources said, adding that major petrochemical companies are expanding their plant operations to align with inbound supplies.

2026.4.28

One man's trash is another man's trash bag

A worker inspects standardized garbage bags produced using recycled raw materials processed from vinyl instead of naphtha at a factory in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, on the morning of April 9.

2026.4.9

In the bag

Garbage bags are produced at a factory in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi, on April 6 amid supply instability of naphtha

2026.4.6

A notice on limited purchases of standard plastic garbage bags is seen at a large supermarket in Seoul on March 27. [NEWS1]

Government tosses strict regulations, eases garbage bag production, distribution

The government will temporarily ease regulations on the production and distribution of standard plastic garbage bags and packaging materials. Relevant ministries announced measures to "ease supply chain bottlenecks" at a joint briefing on Friday.

2026.4.3

A customer carries groceries in garbage bags, which are offered for bagging to be repurposed for trash disposal later, at a discount store in downtown Seoul on March 30. [NEWS1]

Why are Koreans disposed toward trash bag panic buying amid the Middle East conflict?

While much of the world reacts to the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran by stockpiling bottled water or canned goods, Koreans have turned their attention to a more domestic essential: plastic garbage bags.

2026.4.2

A warehouse at a plastic film plant in Ansan is partially empty on March 24, amid supply disruptions caused by the war in the Middle East. [YONHAP]

LG Chem secures 27,000 tons of Russian naphtha

LG Chem, Korea's leading chemical company, has secured 27,000 tons of naphtha from Russia amid a potential supply shortage caused by the war in the Middle East, the Industry Ministry and business sources said Monday.

2026.3.30

A raw materials warehouse at a plastic manufacturing plant in Gwangju, Gyeonggi [NEWS1]

Iran war strikes at semiconductor supply chain and others, not just oil

The Iran war is causing wide-ranging supply chain disruptions across the real economy that go far beyond higher oil prices. Alarm is rising particularly in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and aviation, where input costs are high.

2026.3.30

Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol, center, speaks to reporters at the government complex in central Seoul on March 26. [YONHAP]

Korea to enforce naphtha export restriction starting Friday: Finance minister

Korea will restrict naphtha exports starting Friday as the Iran war squeezes supply and rattles domestic industries, the government said Thursday.

2026.3.26