The global plastic additive market is being reshaped by the strengthening of environmental regulations and the increasing demand for high-functionality materials. Particularly, amide-based slip agents and release agents have established themselves as essential additives across the automotive, electronics, packaging, and film industries, showing an average annual growth rate of over 5%.

The demand for high-purity, high-functionality amides is climbing steeply as the growth of manufacturing in the Asia-Pacific region coincides with the transition to eco-friendly materials. Amidst this, a company that has succeeded in domestic production and expanded its global market share, moving away from import dependence, is gaining attention.

Peswell Co., Ltd., headquartered in Jincheon, Chungbuk, has proven new possibilities in the South Korean chemical additive industry by growing to an annual sales scale of approximately KRW 60 billion within 11 years of its establishment.

Success in Domestic Production, Expansion of Global Market Share

Peswell was launched in August 2014 with Chairman Moon Young-gi's determination for domestic production. At that time, the domestic plastic industry was heavily reliant on imports for the key additive, amide, suffering from price volatility and supply instability. Chairman Moon chose the path of self-reliance to solve these structural problems. In March 2016, a factory covering 8,500 pyeong (approximately 28,000㎡) was completed in Jincheon, Chungbuk, establishing an annual production system of 12,000 tons.

As a latecomer, it initially struggled in competition with overseas companies that dominated the market, but breakthroughs were achieved through cost reduction and quality improvement via production efficiency. Currently, Peswell supplies products to 150 companies worldwide through 18 global agents, achieving over 90% of its sales through exports, growing into a global company. Major manufacturing countries such as Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, China, the United States, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Germany, and Spain are Peswell's clients.

The growth is steep. From sales of KRW 46.9 billion in 2024 to approximately KRW 60 billion this year, marking a 28% growth and an astonishing average annual growth rate of 31.9% compared to 2020. The export performance is also remarkable. Following the receipt of the USD 10 million export tower in 2021 and the USD 20 million export tower in 2022, it is set to receive the USD 30 million export tower this year.

In September, it was selected as an excellent employment company in Chungcheongbuk-do, and Chairman Moon is scheduled to receive the USD 30 million export tower at the 62nd Trade Day event in Cheongju on December 11. By 2027, the goal is to achieve the USD 50 million export tower and sales of over KRW 70 billion.

Accelerating Production Innovation with Smart Factory

Peswell has embarked on the basic construction of a smart factory with government support starting this year. Scheduled for completion in February 2026, this project is the first step towards digital transformation of the production process, equipping real-time process monitoring and data-based quality management systems. From the second half of 2026, the first phase of advancement will proceed, with the full-scale introduction of an AI-based automatic production condition control system.

AI will optimize key variables such as production temperature and pressure in real-time, minimizing quality variations between batches and significantly reducing defect rates. Simultaneously, the reduction of risk factors in the process will greatly contribute to establishing a safe working environment for employees. After 2027, in the optimization phase, annual production capacity will be expanded from the current 12,000 tons to 16,000 tons through the expansion of secondary facilities and optimization of the entire process. Once the second phase of advancement is completed, the automation of orders and the online ordering system will be established, significantly improving the response speed to global customers.

Peswell's future strategy is clear with the three pillars of sales, production, and research and development. In the sales sector, the plan is to continuously expand market share by maximizing sales and export amounts, while in the production sector, the goal is to achieve process efficiency and increased production volume simultaneously through AI-based automation.

Chairman Moon stated, “In the research and development sector, we will strengthen our high-value-added portfolio through product improvement and new product development.”

Securing the Future with Technology and Research and Development

Peswell's growth stems from continuous improvement in chemical process technology and investment in the latest facilities. By consistently upgrading amide additive dedicated production facilities and introducing automation systems, production efficiency and quality consistency have been enhanced simultaneously. Particularly, by securing the technology to stably produce high-purity products, it has been able to meet the stringent demands of global customers.

Energy conservation and environmental protection are also important goals of technology improvement. By optimizing processes and improving facility performance, energy usage has been reduced and environmental impact lowered, securing cost competitiveness. Through a real-time process monitoring system, the production process is closely observed, and statistical-based quality management minimizes quality variations between products, maintaining a stable supply system. Peswell has built differentiated competitiveness by providing customized solutions optimized for customers' processes and product characteristics, beyond simple raw material supply.

Peswell's corporate research institute is securing future growth engines by promoting field-oriented research and development that reflects the voices of the market and customers. The most notable achievement is the self-development and commercialization of next-generation secondary amide products, oleyl palmitamide and stearyl erucamide. While primary amides are mainly used in general plastic processing, secondary amides do not lose performance even at high temperatures, creating new demand in the high-end engineering plastics field.

The research institute is expanding its research areas into eco-friendly and new material fields, such as biodegradable plastic additives, powder metallurgy application materials, and secondary battery anode and cathode additives. Particularly, as the eco-friendly plastic market is rapidly growing, the development of additives suitable for biodegradable materials is urgent, and Peswell is making preemptive investments in this field. The development of secondary battery materials is also a strategic choice aligned with the growth of the electric vehicle market.

All Innoslip products meet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) food contact standards and European EC regulations, and have obtained halal certification by using 100% plant-based raw materials. By proactively responding to major regional chemical regulations such as EU REACH and K-REACH, a sustainable product portfolio is being established. In accordance with the EU RoHS directive, harmful substances are excluded, and through membership registration with the Japan Chemical Industry Association (JCII), a global standard compliance system is solidified. Based on ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certifications, quality, environment, and safety are managed integratively, practicing ESG management for greenhouse gas reduction and energy conservation.

Corporate Value Completed Through Sharing

Peswell's growth is being extended through sharing with society. Chairman Moon has supported free surgeries for 358 children with congenital heart disease from 11 countries, including Cambodia, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam, through the Seonui Medical Foundation and Seonui Nursing Hospital since 2001. Children who were losing their lives due to economic difficulties preventing them from receiving treatment are invited to Korea, with all expenses from airfare to surgery, hospitalization, and stay fully covered, gifting them new lives.

This activity, which takes responsibility for post-operative care and re-surgery in case of recurrence, is a long-term investment for the healthy future of children, beyond simple one-time support. While congenital heart disease can often be cured with a single surgery, many children in developing countries die without even being properly diagnosed due to poor medical environments.

This initiative, which began in 2001 by healing the hearts of three children from Vietnam, Tang, Mei, and Phuong, has gifted new lives to 358 children over more than 20 years. Most of the children who have returned to their home countries healthy after surgery come from economically disadvantaged families, and Peswell continues to provide post-support and sponsorship to ensure they remain healthy.

Chairman Moon stated, “It is my lifelong belief that the benefits of corporate growth should be shared with society,” adding, “I feel the greatest reward when I see children growing up healthy and becoming a hope in their respective countries.”

Peswell is walking the path of sustainable growth through technological innovation and sharing, enhancing the status of the Korean chemical industry in the global market beyond the success of domestic production.



Chairman Moon Young-gi of Peswell (pictured) prioritizes employment growth and employee happiness as the top management values.

Chairman Moon stated, “Employment growth and employee welfare are the areas I focus on the most,” adding, “The number of employees has increased by 19 since 2022, and we are doing our best to support the balance between work and family life.”

Chairman Moon particularly expressed pride in the reduced working hours during childcare and the hourly leave system for female employees. He explained, “It is the welfare system most preferred by female employees,” adding, “We support substitute labor for shift workers so that all employees can use their leave without hesitation.” Summer paid leave for three days, vacation pay support, villa-type dormitories with single rooms, and unlimited snacks are also provided to maximize convenience.

Special consideration is also given to foreign workers. Chairman Moon stated, “We are separately implementing a mentoring system for foreign workers and providing the same welfare to five foreign employees as to domestic employees,” adding, “We are doing our best to help foreign workers settle well in Korea, such as providing halal meals to employees with Islamic faith.” He also emphasized the open employment policy, stating, “Our company’s retirement age is 60, but if employees can continue to work after retirement, we continue to employ them.”

The philosophy on safety management is also clear. “We have a dedicated safety manager prioritizing the life and safety of employees,” he explained, “We check the factory frequently and improve risk factors.” He emphasized, “If there are blind spots, we improve all of them and purchase safety equipment to match the level of large corporations,” adding, “All employees recognize safety as the top priority.”

Regarding employee communication, he stated, “If employees make suggestions and there is no change, it is meaningless, so we provide immediate feedback on good suggestions,” adding, “We utilize the company groupware bulletin board.”

Finally, Chairman Moon expressed his aspirations, stating, “We will do our best to supply products on time and manage quality in a more customer-friendly manner,” adding, “We aim to develop into a sustainable amide specialty company where customers, humanity, and the environment grow together, based on technological innovation and responsible production, and employee happiness.”

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