Butadiene substance flow analysis and management in South Korea

Abstract Due to increasing production and consumption of chemical substances, chemical accidents involving the unintentional release of one or more hazardous substances harmful to human health or the environment have increased in frequently. Such accidents include fires, explosions, leaks and complex accidents. In this study, a butadiene substance flow analysis in South Korea was developed using the chemical substance flow analysis (CSFA) method. Results show that butadiene has been used in 1,450,076 tons of domestic chemical materials in South Korea. Of this amount, 28.2% was consumed and used in the styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) industry, 29% in the polybutadiene rubber (BR) industry, 21.2% in the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) industry, and 21.5% in the other rubber products industry. Furthermore, butadiene has been used in the manufacturing of final products such as automotive supplies and equipment, tires, shoes, and consumer electronics. Among the manufacturing of final products, it was found that about 39% of butadiene was used for tire manufacturing. The study also quantified atmospheric emissions. About 56.7 tons of butadiene were emitted into the atmosphere. Results of a regional analysis within South Korea show that butadiene was treated in 5 cities and 7 provinces. The largest amount of butadiene was used in the Chungnam region with 696, 264 tons. Jeollanam used 479,529 tons and Ulsan used 226,724 tons, with Chonnam and Chungbuk having the largest number of handling companies. Among the 23 divisions of the standard industrial classification, the flow in the manufacture of synthetic resin or other plastic material was found to account for about 70% of the total flow of butadiene. The results of this chemical substance flow analysis of butadiene can be used to reduce the risks of chemical use and support sustainable chemical management in South Korea.