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Company Profile

ISU EXACHEM Company Profile

Akash Das Published 23 Dec 2025 Updated 23 Dec 2025

Company Profile

ISU EXACHEM Basic Information, Manufacturing Base, Sales Area, and Competitors

Sr. No.

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Description

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Company Name

ISU EXACHEM

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Website

https://www.isuchemical.com

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Established Date

1969

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Headquartered

 Seoul, South Korea

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Market Position/ History

ISU Chemical Co., Ltd. began in 1969, originally founded as ISU Chemical Industry and focused on producing essential raw materials for the detergent sector. During the 1970s and 1980s, the company strengthened its foundation by establishing key plants for branched alkylbenzene and later linear alkylbenzene, which became cornerstone products of its early growth. As the business matured through the 1990s, ISU expanded into new chemical categories by building facilities for normal paraffin, special solvents, and eventually a dedicated plant for tert-dodecyl mercaptan, marking its entry into higher-value specialty chemicals. In 1996, the company adopted the name ISU Chemical Co., Ltd. as part of its broader transformation.

A major organizational milestone came in 2003, when ISU Group shifted to a holding-company structure, enabling ISU Chemical to operate with more strategic focus and pursue global expansion. Over the following decade, the company extended its presence into international markets and added new capabilities in solvents, intermediates, and industrial chemicals. By the 2010s, ISU Chemical was recognized for its strong export performance and continued investment in diversified production, including overseas manufacturing operations.

In recent years, the company has evolved beyond traditional petrochemicals, incorporating advanced materials, green-bio initiatives, and smart-farm technologies into its growth strategy. Today, ISU Chemical stands as a diversified and innovation-driven chemical manufacturer with a mix of legacy petrochemical strengths and emerging future-oriented businesses.

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Sales Area

Worldwide

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No. of Employees

~350

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Competitors

  • Chevron Phillips Chemical
  • Merck KGaA
  • Arkema SA

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Ticker Number

KRX: 005950

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CEO

Kim Dongmin 

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Ownership Type

Public

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Contact Information

84, Sapyeong-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. (06575)

Tel:  +82-2-590-6700

Business Segment or Overview

ISU Chemical Co., Ltd. is a South Korean chemical manufacturer specializing in detergent raw materials, specialty intermediates, and industrial solvents. Over the years, the company has broadened its portfolio from basic petrochemical products to higher-value chemicals used in polymers, coatings, electronics, and industrial applications. With modern plants, process automation, and an expanding international footprint, ISU Chemical supports both commodity and specialty chemical markets while gradually integrating innovation-driven and sustainability-oriented product lines.

Operating Business Segments

Detergent & Surfactant Raw Materials

This segment includes the company’s foundational products such as linear alkylbenzene (LAB) and branched alkylbenzene, which are widely used by detergent and surfactant manufacturers.

Specialty Intermediates

ISU produces a range of functional intermediates, including tert-dodecyl mercaptan (TDM) and various tailored solvents used in rubber polymerization, resins, and fine chemical processes. These products serve industries that require controlled chemical performance and high purity.

Industrial Solvents & Process Chemicals

This segment covers general and high-purity solvents, extraction chemicals, and performance liquids used in industrial manufacturing, electronics, and coatings. It reflects ISU’s capability to supply consistent, application-ready chemical solutions.

New Business & Advanced Materials

The company is developing new areas such as green-bio solutions, smart-farm systems, and materials related to next-generation battery technologies. These emerging activities support ISU’s long-term shift toward value-added and technology-driven markets.

Product Types Specification

Product

Product Description

Tert-Dodecyl Mercaptan (TDM)

Tert-Dodecyl Mercaptan (TDM) from ISU Chemical as a high-purity, colorless liquid thiol designed for industrial polymer and specialty-chemical applications. The product typically features a purity level of around 98.5% with a well-defined distillation profile, starting at approximately 227 °C and reaching up to about 248 °C for 95% recovery, indicating a narrow and controlled boiling range. It has a specific gravity of roughly 0.86 at standard temperature, a refractive index near 1.46, and a relatively high flash point of about 95 °C, making it stable under normal handling conditions. Chemically, TDM contains a significant mercaptan-sulfur content around 15.6% which supports its function as a chain-transfer agent in polymerization. The compound is extremely insoluble in water and exhibits a high octanol/water partition coefficient, showing strong hydrophobicity.

Akash Das
Akash Das is a research professional at Cognitive Market Research & Consulting with over two and a half years of experience in market intelligence and consulting. He specializes in conducting market research, compet…

Profile Details

  • Author Akash Das
  • Published 23 Dec 2025
  • Last Updated 23 Dec 2025
  • Reading Time~5 minutes
  • CoverageSWOT, Financials, Key Employees, History

Table of Contents

    • 1.1 About ISU EXACHEM
    • 1.2 Key Facts
    • 1.3 Key Employees
      • 1.3.1 Key Employee Biographies
    • 1.4 History
    • 1.5 Locations & Subsidiaries
      • 1.5.1 Head Office
      • 1.5.2 Other Locations & Subsidiaries
    • 2.1 Company Overview
    • 2.2 Business Segments
    • 2.3 R&D Overview
    • 2.4 Brands
    • 2.5 Key Company Statistics
    • 2.6 Key Financials (2015–2019)
    • 2.7 Share Holder Analysis
    • 2.8 Regional Presence
    • 2.9 Services Offered
    • 3.1 Strengths
    • 3.2 Weaknesses
    • 3.3 Opportunities
    • 3.4 Threats
    • 3.5 Key Competitors
    • 4.1 Company Metrics
    • 4.2 Key Investors
    • 4.3 Recent Funding & Valuation
    • 4.4 Historical Funding & Valuation
    • 5.1 Acquisitions
    • 5.2 Partnerships
    • 6.1 Latest News & Announcements
    • 6.2 Strategic Initiatives
    • 7.1 Summary of Findings
    • 7.2 Strategic Recommendations

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