Samsung Petrochemical is Korea’s largest producer of Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), a significant raw material for polyester fibers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin for plastic bottles. The company established in 1974 as a joint venture of 50% Samsung, 35% BP (ex-Amoco) and 15% Mitsui Chemicals, produces 1.8 million tons of PTA annually.

To ensure future competitiveness, Samsung Petrochemical has initiated energy-saving and AMT projects, and has achieved the world’s best reliability rate of 99.5 percent of production. As a result of these efforts, the company won an award for effective energy management from the government.

The company’s “Triple Innovation Activities” include Six Sigma as well as Customer Satisfaction and Knowledge Management programs that have resulted in improvements in quality and business outcome.

In November 2005, Samsung Petrochemical launched a service brand called ‘3·2way’ as a means to improve business performance. This innovative value of service-focused manufacturing operation challenges the company to create a high level of customer service and products through solution-focused and relationship marketing, establishing long-term partnerships in addition to supporting existing core values of technology and quality.

The company successfully instituted internal programs to strengthen its corporate culture, including establishment of the Petrochemical STAR Award for employees. It received an environment-friendly corporate certificate from the Korean government in 2003 and the Grand Prize for Safety Management from the President of Korea in 2004.

Samsung Petrochemical continues its campaign for preserving the Taehwa River in Ulsan, which began in 1999, as well as other voluntary community service activities. It also constructed a green garden around its Ulsan and Seosan plants.