[Courtesy of Aekyung Chemical]
SEOUL -- GS Caltex, a major refiner in South Korea, partnered with Aekyung Chemical, a domestic manufacturer of basic organic chemicals, to localize the production of refrigerating machine oil for home electronic appliances, which have been heavily dependent on imported products. With Aekyung's base oil, the refiner will produce finished products.
Refrigerating machine oils are used in air conditioning systems and compressors that use refrigerants. Compatibility is important because refrigeration oils are circulated together with refrigerants. Thermochemical stability, low flow points, viscosity, insulation performance, and suitability with organic materials are required. GS Caltex and Aekyung Chemical have completed a patent application for their localized refrigeration oil.
The localized product has secured a quality advantage in compatibility and performance with refrigerants compared to overseas products in the test evaluation of clients, Aekyung Chemical said, describing its product as a next-generation refrigeration oil that meets global regulations due to its high miscibility with difluoromethane (HFC-32), an eco-friendly refrigerant that does no harm to the ozone layer.
"With the localization of refrigeration oil, we will expand our research and business scope to various fields such as the development of eco-friendly base oils," an unnamed Aekyung Chemical official said in a statement on November 7. Aekyung Chemical would develop a hybrid refrigeration oil that can be used for both existing and newly developed refrigerants.
There is a growing need in the domestic market for eco-friendly refrigerants to cope with global regulations. Aekyung Chemical said it would broaden the scope of its business to eco-friendly base oils and push for the localization of related technologies in consistent cooperation with GS Caltex. Base oils produced by means of refining crude oil are used to manufacture lubricating greases, motor oil and metal processing fluids. Different products require different compositions and properties.
reporter
Lim Chang-won
cwlim34@ajunews.com
