Taekwang

What Taekwang does

Taekwang Industrial Co., Ltd. is a South Korean vertically integrated diversified manufacturer founded in 1950, publicly listed on the Korea Exchange (KOSPI, ticker KR7003240009) with 10,000+ employees and headquarters in Seoul. The company operates across four business segments: petrochemicals (PTA, propylene, acrylonitrile, sodium cyanide, acetonitrile, ammonium sulphate, hydrogen peroxide), synthetic fibers (acrylic under ACEPORA brand, nylon filament, spandex under ELAFIT/ACELAN, LMF, modacrylic under Modabon), textiles (polyester and tricot fabrics under AceTex), and advanced materials (PAN-based carbon fiber under TKS brand and para-aramid fiber under Supertex brand). Production is concentrated at large-scale plants in Ulsan, with additional sites in Busan, Yangsan, Gyeongju, and Daegu domestically, plus overseas operations in Changshu, China (spandex, 30,000 tons/year), Shanghai (sales office), and Gaeseong, North Korea.

The business model is B2B direct sales of commodity and specialty chemicals, with pricing conducted via inquiry-based quotes rather than public price lists. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales to industrial manufacturers (petrochemical feedstocks), textile manufacturers (fiber inputs), mining operators (sodium cyanide for gold/silver extraction), and advanced materials users (aerospace, automotive, construction). Consolidated revenue was 1.8274 trillion KRW in 2025, declining from 2.1263 trillion KRW in 2023, with operating losses across 2022-2024. The company exports to 30+ countries and has held the Korean Billion-dollar Export Tower since 2016.

Under a co-CEO leadership system established in April 2024 with Jung In-cheol (Chairman since March 2026) and Lee Boo, Taekwang is executing a 1.5 trillion won diversification strategy that has included the February 2026 acquisition of 63% of Aekyung Industrial (cosmetics, 447.5 billion won) and January 2026 consortium acquisition of Dong Sung Bio Pharm (pharmaceuticals, 160 billion won), plus a hotel acquisition and considered entry into electronics materials via Nexplex. The company also operates the Taekwang Central Research Institute in Daejeon's Daedeok Innopolis, supporting development of advanced materials including Korea's first commercial carbon fiber (2012) and para-aramid fiber (2015).

Name

Taekwang

Legal name

TAEKWANG Industrial Co., Ltd.

Website

https://taekwang.co.kr

Company type

Public

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

Taekwang Industrial is a South Korean vertically integrated manufacturer producing petrochemicals, synthetic fibers, textiles, and advanced materials for global B2B industrial customers across 30+ countries, now diversifying into cosmetics and pharmaceuticals through acquisitions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Seoul

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Petrochemical Products Sales: Manufacturing and sales of petrochemical products including Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA), Propylene, Acrylonitrile, Sodium Cyanide (NaCN), Acetonitrile, Ammonium Sulphate, and Hydrogen Peroxide. Products sold to domestic and overseas industrial customers.
2. Synthetic Fiber Products Sales: Manufacturing and sales of synthetic fibers including Acrylic (ACEPORA brand), Nylon Filament, Spandex (ELAFIT brand), and specialty fibers like Modacrylic. Products include raw yarn sold to textile manufacturers and finished fabrics.
3. Advanced Materials Sales: Sales of high-performance advanced materials including Carbon Fiber and Para-Aramid Fiber for aerospace, automotive, construction, and industrial applications.
4. Cosmetics and Healthcare Products: Through Aekyung Industrial acquisition, Taekwang expanded into B2C cosmetics and healthcare market, including toothpaste, beauty products, and pharmaceuticals like Dong Sung Bio Pharm products.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Taekwang Industrial is a vertically integrated Korean manufacturer producing petrochemicals (PTA, propylene, acrylonitrile, sodium cyanide, hydrogen peroxide, acetonitrile, ammonium sulphate), synthetic fibers (acrylic, nylon, spandex, modacrylic, LMF, spun yarn), textiles (polyester and tricot fabrics under AceTex brand), and advanced materials (PAN-based carbon fiber, para-aramid fiber). The company is the first Korean producer of acrylic fiber, spandex, carbon fiber, and para-aramid fiber and is one of the world's largest sodium cyanide producers. Products are sold B2B to industrial manufacturers globally, with recent diversification into B2C cosmetics and pharmaceuticals in 2026.

Product overview

Taekwang Industrial is a South Korean diversified manufacturer operating across four main business areas: petrochemicals, synthetic fibers, textiles, and advanced materials. The petrochemical segment produces PTA, propylene, acrylonitrile, sodium cyanide (65,000 MT/year, one of world's largest), acetonitrile, ammonium sulphate, and hydrogen peroxide. The synthetic fiber segment includes ACEPORA acrylic fiber (65,000 tons/year), nylon filament, ELAFIT/ACELAN spandex (30,000 tons/year), spun yarn, LMF, and modacrylic fiber. The textile segment produces ACETEX-branded tricot and polyester fabrics. The advanced materials segment includes carbon fiber (1,500 tons/year, first Korean producer in 2012) and para-aramid fiber (1,000 tons/year, since 2015). Recent diversification includes acquisition of Aekyung Industrial in cosmetics and pursuit of Dong Sung Bio Pharm in pharmaceuticals. The company operates from Ulsan, South Korea with overseas production in Changshu, China and Gaeseong, North Korea.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACEPORA: Acrylic fiber brand; main product that led Taekwang's growth during 1970s-1980s; certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100
• ACELAN
• ELAFIT
• AceTex
• Supertex
• TKS

Products and services

• Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) Purified Terephthalic Acid (PTA) is a petrochemical used as the main raw material for polyester fiber, PET bottles, PET film, plasticizers, and engineering plastics. Sold B2B to industrial manufacturers, especially polyester producers.
• Propylene Propylene produced via propane dehydrogenation (PDH) technology; main raw material for Taekwang's own acrylonitrile plant with balance sold to petrochemical customers.
• Acrylonitrile (AN) Acrylonitrile manufactured from propylene and ammonia. Used for acrylic fibers, ABS/SAN resin, NB-Copolymer, acrylamide, and various industrial products. Part used internally for acrylic fiber production with remainder sold to domestic and international customers.
• Sodium Cyanide (NaCN) One of the world's largest sodium cyanide producers, producing 65,000 metric tons annually at the Ulsan AN/NaCN plant. Applied in extraction and electroplating of gold and silver, and as raw material for agricultural chemicals and pharmaceuticals. International Cyanide Management Code certified. Sold globally including Africa, South America, China, and Russia.
• Ammonium Sulphate Nitrogen fertilizer containing 20.5% nitrogen, used as raw material for NPK complex fertilizer, cellophane industrial, ammonia compound, and various ammonium salts. Supplied to domestic and Southeast Asian markets.
• Acetonitrile High-purity acetonitrile (99.9%) for pharmaceutical synthesis, reagent applications, and various organic/inorganic chemistry fields. Supplied to domestic pharmaceutical and reagent companies.
• Hydrogen Peroxide Environmentally compatible bleaching agent for pulp, paper, textiles, pollution control, food processing, petrochemicals, and consumer products. Available in 35%, 45%, 50%, and 60% concentrations.
• ACEPORA Acrylic Fiber Leading Korean acrylic fiber brand providing 65,000 tons of fiber annually. All ACEPORA products are certified by Oeko-Tex Standard 100. Vertically integrated from propylene/acrylonitrile feedstock. Sold to global textile manufacturers.
• Nylon Filament Representative nylon textile filament from Korea with continuous quality enhancement and development of differentiated functional yarns including micro fine denier, hollow yarn (AIRUS30), high-tenacity yarn (ENDURON), high-stretch yarn (FLEXORA), and quick drying yarn (SHELRON). Products exported to more than 30 countries.
• ELAFIT Spandex Spandex brand introduced in 2021, produced at Changshu, China facility with annual capacity of 30,000 tons. Fine denier (15-70) and coarse denier (105-2,300) products. Used with polyester, nylon, cotton, and rayon in warp knitting, circular knitting, covering, and core spun yarn applications.
• Spun Yarn Wide variety of spun yarns from materials including cotton, rayon, modal, polyester, nylon, and acrylic. Produces 15,000 tons of cotton spun yarn annually. Also produces eco-friendly ACEPORA-ERO recycled material spun yarn.
• LMF (Low Melting Fiber) Eco-friendly fiber that melts at 110C compared to regular polyester at 265C, serving as adhesive substitute. Applications include automotive materials (engine hood, trunk, ceiling), bedding and furniture (mattress, sofa), and hygiene products (diapers, sanitary pads).
• Modabon Modacrylic Fiber Modacrylic fiber containing 35-85% AN, with flame retardancy properties. Second commercial producer worldwide after Kaneka of Japan. Optimized for braid hair extensions preferred by African women; Nigeria office supports African market sales.
• ACETEX Tricot Fabrics Tricot fabric production since 1992 with monthly capacity of 800,000 yards. Products include 2-way swimwear fabric, velvet, and textured design fabrics sold under ACETEX brand. Integral production system from yarn-making to dyeing and finishing. Includes 800,000 yards/month of 2-way stretch swimwear fabrics.
• ACETEX Polyester Fabrics Polyester woven fabric business since 1981 with integrated production from yarn to weaving to fabric finishing. Monthly production of 5 million yards of 100% polyester fabrics sold under ACETEX brand to over 30 countries. Specializes in Middle Eastern traditional clothing (ROBE and ABAYA fabrics) and Peach Skin products.
• Carbon Fiber (PAN-based) PAN-based carbon fiber products under TKS brand (TKS40 and TKS70 grades in 12K and 24K options). Vertically integrated production leveraging acrylic fiber technology. Applications in sports and leisure, construction and civil engineering, aviation, automobile, and energy sectors.
• Para-Aramid Fiber Para-aramid fiber that is 20% of steel weight but 5x stronger. Applications include aerospace, protection equipment, firefighting, optical cable, tire cord, and industrial belts. Available in Standard Tenacity (TF100) and High Tenacity (TF200) grades under Supertex brand. Forms include filament yarn, staple fiber, spun yarn, and fabric.

Quantifiable outcome

• First in Korea to produce acrylic fiber, spandex, and carbon fiber commercially
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered major.

• Green Harbor Investment Corp.majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 18 April 2026Taekwang Group formed consortium with Green Harbor Investment Corp. to pursue acquisition of K Shipbuilding, a mid-tier Korean shipyard. This partnership reshuffled the bidder line-up following the exit of Taekwang's previous partner, TPG.
• UAMCO (United Asset Management)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2026Taekwang Industrial formed consortium with UAMCO to acquire Dong Sung Bio Pharm for 160 billion won. UAMCO provides financial expertise while Taekwang contributes operational capabilities and sales channels including home shopping and media commerce.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Toray Industries: Toray is a Japanese global leader in synthetic fibers, carbon fiber (TORAYCA), and advanced materials. Operates as a much larger incumbent in the same fiber and advanced materials categories as Taekwang, with broader geographic reach and product portfolio.
• Mitsubishi Chemical Group: Mitsubishi Chemical is a Japanese diversified chemical conglomerate producing petrochemicals, acrylic fiber, carbon fiber, and advanced materials. Overlaps with Taekwang across multiple business pillars including fibers, petrochemicals, and specialty chemicals.
• Lotte Chemical: Lotte Chemical is a Korean petrochemical manufacturer producing PTA, polyethylene, and other petrochemical products. Direct overlap with Taekwang's PTA and petrochemical business at substantially larger scale, with similar export-oriented B2B model.
• LG Chem: LG Chem is a Korean petrochemical and battery materials giant producing acrylonitrile, PTA, and other petrochemicals. Comparable to Taekwang's petrochemical segment at much larger scale, with overlapping acrylonitrile and downstream ABS/SAN markets.
• SK Chemicals: SK Chemicals is a Korean chemical company producing PET, specialty polymers, and pharmaceutical ingredients. Comparable to Taekwang's downstream chemical businesses with overlap in PTA/petrochemical feedstocks and an established pharmaceutical business for adjacency comparison.

Direct peers

• Yantai Tayho Advanced Materials: Yantai Tayho is a Chinese para-aramid fiber producer. Direct competitor to Taekwang in the para-aramid fiber market with similar end-use focus on tire cord, optical cable, and protective applications.
• Kolon Industries: Kolon Industries is a Korean chemical and fiber manufacturer producing nylon filament, polyester films, and aramid fibers. Comparable to Taekwang in synthetic fiber production and downstream film/industrial materials, with overlapping aramid exposure.
• Hyosung TNC: Hyosung TNC is a Korean synthetic fiber manufacturer producing spandex (creora), nylon, and polyester yarns. Directly comparable to Taekwang in the spandex/nylon/industrial yarn category with similar global B2B export footprint.
• Teijin Limited: Teijin is a Japanese aramid fiber manufacturer (Twaron) and carbon fiber producer. Directly comparable to Taekwang's para-aramid and carbon fiber businesses, with similar end-market focus in aerospace, automotive, and protective applications.
• Toyobo Co., Ltd. Toyobo is a Japanese synthetic fiber and film manufacturer producing polyester, nylon, and aramid fibers. Comparable to Taekwang in technical textile and advanced fiber segments, with similar B2B industrial customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pt--tk-industrial-indonesia

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Taekwang