Aekyung Chemical has completed its Vietnam plant expansion, boosting surfactant and polyester resin production capacity as the South Korean manufacturer pivots toward Southeast Asia’s rapidly expanding markets.
The LOTUS project, named after Vietnam’s national flower, includes an expanded surfactant facility and a new unsaturated polyester resin plant in Dong Nai Province near Ho Chi Minh City. The strategic location offers advantages in labor access and logistics infrastructure, according to the company.
The plant increases Aekyung’s annual production capacity to 40,000 tons for surfactants from the previous 16,000 tons, and adds 37,000 tons of unsaturated polyester resin capability, making it Vietnam’s largest producer of these chemicals. The facilities incorporate several technical advancements, including large-scale UPR reaction equipment, automated packaging, and warehouse systems.
Vietnam represents a key opportunity as the country’s GDP grew 7.09% in 2024, with chemical demand rising amid industrial expansion. The Vietnamese government aims for 10-11% growth in its chemical industry by 2030. Through its subsidiary AK Vina, Aekyung is the region’s sole producer of surfactants for household products like fabric softeners.
The move comes as Korean chemical manufacturers face intensifying competition in traditional markets. South Korean chemical companies have been seeking new export destinations as China increases domestic production and competition grows in the region.
Aekyung has been systematically expanding its Vietnamese operations, having acquired plasticizer manufacturer VPCHEM in December 2023, previously a subsidiary of LG Chem.
