Kolon Industries Strengthens Sustainable Automotive Materials Business with New PU Artificial Leather Production Line

Kolon Industries has completed a new polyurethane (PU) artificial leather production line at its Gimcheon Plant No. 1 in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, indicating a major investment in sustainable automotive interior materials and reinforcing its position in the global mobility supply chain.

The company invested approximately KRW 24 billion over a 17-month period, from February 2025 to June 2026, to establish the advanced manufacturing facility, with the completion ceremony held on 28 July 2026.

The new production line is designed to manufacture high-performance PU artificial leather that closely replicates the appearance and texture of genuine leather while delivering superior durability, flexibility, and ease of processing. The material is widely used in automotive applications, including seats, door trims, and center consoles, and is expected to benefit from the growing shift towards leather-free, environmentally responsible vehicle interiors.

To enhance the sustainability profile of its products, Kolon Industries has incorporated manufacturing technologies that reduce the use of hazardous substances such as benzene and toluene, while continuous-process equipment minimizes production downtime and improves operational efficiency.

The investment also strengthens the company's ability to meet increasing customer demand for premium, eco-friendly interior materials and supports its strategy to expand into international markets where demand for PU synthetic leather continues to rise. Kolon Industries already supplies a broad portfolio of automotive interior materials, including fabrics, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO), to global automotive manufacturers.

The addition of PU artificial leather enables the company to provide a more comprehensive range of interior material solutions, enhancing its competitiveness and reinforcing its position as a total solutions provider for the automotive industry. Company representatives stated that the investment reflects its commitment to addressing evolving market requirements through differentiated manufacturing technologies, an expanded materials portfolio, and continued innovation in sustainable automotive interior solutions.

Source: Seoul Economic Daily