Usage

Pitch is used as a binder for producing anodes for aluminum smelting and other binding applications.

Production Process

OCI produces high-quality pitch through distillation and the reformer process to adjust the softening point and insoluble quinoline, parameters that decide the quality of the pitch.

OCI initiated the pitch business to create value-added products from coal tar produced at steel plants in Pohang and Gwangyang. With the construction of Korea’s first coal tar distillation plant in 1976 and pitch plant in 1978, OCI developed various pitches including soft pitch and hard pitch used for aluminum smelting. In 1996, OCI successfully commercialized liquid products for the first time in the world, and is currently supplying to renowned global aluminum companies in the Middle East, Oceania, North America, and Africa. In 2021, OCI began an expansion into the high softening point pitch (HSPP) market through our P&O Chemical joint venture with POSCO Future M. HSPP is used to coat graphite-based anode materials to increase battery life, charging and discharging efficiency, and energy density.

Business Commencement

1978

Production Plant Status

Korea
- OCI Pohang Plant (Tar Distillation Capa : 250,000MT/yr)
- OCI Gwangyang Plant (Tar Distillation Capa : 200,000MT/yr)
China
- Shandong OCI (Tar Distillation capacity : 380,000MT/yr)
- Ma Steel OCI (Tar Distillation capacity : 350,000MT/yr)

Major Markets

Middle East, Oceania, North America, Africa, etc