Samsung Total Petrochemicals (formerly Samsung General Chemicals from 1988 to 2003) was established in August 2003 as a joint venture between the Samsung and the Total Group, a global French energy and chemical company.

Samsung Total operates a large petrochemical complex consisting of 15 individual plants located in Daesan, Korea. As a general chemicals company, it manufactures and supplies chemical products for daily life, such as synthetic polymer resins (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), base chemicals (styrene monomer, para-xylene, etc.) and other petrochemicals and petroleum-based products. The chemicals are essential to a wide range of consumer and industrial goods, including beverage containers, plastics that replace metal parts in automobiles and housing for computers and appliances.

The company produces and exports about 5 million tons of petrochemical products a year to more than 130 nations in the world, including 2.2 million tons of olefins (ethylene, propylene, benzene, etc.), 1 million tons of synthetic resin (polyethylene, polypropylene, etc.), 1.6 million tons of chemicals (styrene monomer, para-xylene, ethylene oxide/ethylene glycol, etc.), and 380,000 tons of petroleum products (LPG, fuel oil, etc.).

Samsung Total has invested $650 million in main plants, such as naphtha cracking center, polypropylene, styrene monomer and para-xylene plant, and strengthened its competitiveness with capacity enlargement in plants and equipment. After a major expansion of production capacity in 2010, which will allow one million tons of each main product to be produced, Samsung Total will leap ahead in global petrochemical competitiveness.

Preservation of the natural environment and implementation of safety standards at the workplace are the highest priorities at Samsung Total. Intensified measures are taken to meet environmental safety regulations and to make employees fully aware of environmental protection and safety issues.

Samsung Total has been striving to prevent pollution generation by implementing environmental impact assessments from the start of plant construction, and by acquiring ISO certification, which recognizes its status as a global company that practices a high level of environmental management.

The company has also created a natural park in its petrochemical complex in Daesan, home to various animals and plants, including pine trees, wild ducks, carp and raccoons.