History < Introduction < Company

2024
2023
2022
2021
2020

2024

SK Innovation and SK E&S merged to officially launch the largest private energy company in the Asia-Pacific region.
SK On merged with SK Trading International.

SK Earthon secured operatorship of Ketapu Cluster off the coast of Sarawak, Malaysia.
SK Enmove and Hanwha Aerospace developed the world's first immersion cooling ESS technology for vessels.
SK Energy completed of South Korea’s first dedicated Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) production line.

SK Earthon secured joint exploration rights for an offshore carbon storage site in the G-15-AP Block of the Carnarvon Basin, Australia.

SK Innovation received an AA rating in the “2024 MSCI ESG Rating.”

SK On succeeded in co-developing a polymer electrolyte for lithium metal batteries that can operate at room temperature.
SK On signed an MoU with ExxonMobil for lithium offtake in the U.S.

SK On signed an MoU with Ferrari to lead innovation in battery cell technology.
SK Innovation was recognized as an internationally accredited testing institution for the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS).

SK Enmove signed an MoU with UK-based Precision Liquid Cooling (PLC) specialist Iceotope and SK Telecom on cooperation of data center liquid cooling technology.

SK On signed a research and development technology license agreement with Solid Power for cell design and pilot line processes.
SK Enmove signed an MoU with Hyundai Motor Group to jointly develop next-generation refrigerants for electric vehicles.

2023

SK Innovation successfully demonstrated technology for producing carbon monoxide from carbon dioxide.
SK Incheon Petrochem won ”USD 3 Billion Export Tower” on 2023 Trade Day.

SK On and Polestar signed a battery supply agreement.
SK On and Hyundai Motor Group’s joint battery factory was awarded “Deal of the Year.”
SK Earthon successfully discovered crude oil from Block 16-2 in Vietnam.

SK Enmove signed an MoU with Hanwha Aerospace for Liquid Immersion Cooling in ESS for vessels.

SK Earthon successfully produced crude oil from Block 17/03 in China.

SK Enmove, DELL, and GRC sign an MoU to vitalize the liquid immersion cooling market.

SK Energy was certified by Ministry of Environment for greenhouse gas reduction through WMA production in South Korea.

SK Geo Centric broke ground on the 3rd EAA global manufacturing plant in China.

SK On signed deal with Westwater Resources to develop anode materials.
SK On gained Korea’s first Cybersecurity Management System (CSMS) certification for Battery Management Systems (BMS).

SK Energy introduced Korea's first large-scale hydrogen charging station for trucks in Ulsan.

SK Geo Centric signed an agreement with Weixing Chemical from China for the establishment of a new EAA plant.
SK On signed an investment agreement with EcoPro and GEM Korea for the establishment of a battery core material production facility in Saemangeum, South Korea.
SK Incheon Petrochem invested in the promising tech startup LD Carbon specializing in pyrolysis for waste tire processing.
SK On showcased self-developed prismatic battery prototypes at Korea’s largest battery exhibition InterBattery.

SK Enmove joined the ElectroSafe® Fluid Partner Program of GRC, an US company specializing in immersion cooling for data centers, to enhance competitiveness in the thermal management solutions business.

SK Geo Centric acquired the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) from Control Union, a global eco-certification body.
SK On signed a joint development agreement with Urbix, US, to co-develop battery anode materials.
SK Earthon and UK company Azuli sgned an MOU for the collaboration on global CCS projects.

2022

SK Energy signed an agreement with NAVER to develop an urban fulfillment logistics center at SK gas station sites.
SK On – Ford Motor Company’s joint venture BlueOval SK held a groundbreaking ceremony for a battery manufacturing mega campus in the US.
SK Lubricants rebranded as SK Enmove, highlighting its evolution into an “Energy Saving Company.”

SK On and Hyundai Motor Group entered into a business agreement to strengthen the North American battery supply chain.
SK Innovation implemented an “internal carbon pricing system” that reflects and applies the change in future carbon price during investment proposal reviews.
SK Energy opened the first Industrial Transition Joint Training Center of Korean refining and petrochemical industry.
SK Energy collaborated with Doosan Fuel Cell to build hybrid energy stations to simultaneously utilize green energy and hydrogen.
SK On and SK IE Technology won the “Best of Innovation Award” at CES 2023.
SK On signed a long-term lithium supply agreement with Chile's SQM.

SK Incheon Petrochem launched the “Pilot Project for the Development of Sustainable Livestock Practices” with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and NH Agricultural Cooperative Federation.
SK Innovation announced the “All Time Net Zero” vision at its 60th anniversary on October 13, 2022.
SK On entered a long-term lithium supply contract with Australian company Lake Resources to enhance the supply chain of raw materials for electric vehicle battery.
SK Trading International invests in Infinium, a pioneering US-based e-fuel company that transforms captured carbon into fuel.

SK On signed an MOU with Australian company Global Lithium to ensure a steady lithium supply.
SK Innovation Institute of Environmental Science & Technology developed an electrocatalyst technology for CO2 conversion to CO.
Held “2022 Ulsan Forum” under the theme of “ESG, Opening the Future of Ulsan”’

SK Co., Ltd. and SK Innovation invest 300 billion KRW in TerraPower, Bill Gate’s SMR company

SK On, officially launching JV 'BlueOvalSK' with Ford in the USA.
SK Lubricants signed an MOU with the Ministry of Industry and a waste lubricant oil collection and refining company to recycle and convert waste lubricant oil into raw material.

SK Earthon signed an MOU with AAT, a company specializing in marine exploration, to reinforce technology capacity in petroleum development and CCS.
SK On signed a comprehensive MOU with POSCO Holdings for a 'secondary battery business.
SK Innovation signed an investment contract and a technological collaboration MOU with Amogy, the American company specializing in ammonia-based fuel cell systems.

SK Geo Centric’s 'Pyrolysis oil petrochemicals raw-materialization method' received certification from the Ministry of Environment for the first time in the nation

SK Earthon secured the mineral rights and mine operating rights over Sarawak, Malaysia, by winning the bid for the 'SK427' mining area.
SK On developed battery management chips that play a key role in battery management with Autosilicon, a developer specializing in semiconductors for batteries and electronic devices.

SK Lubricants invested shares in GRC, the data center liquid immersion cooling system expert in the USA, to reinforce its capabilities in the liquid-based heat management business.
SK trading international signed a contract with Oxidental in the USA, the first in the world to introduce net zero oil.

SK Energy’s reducing fuel and greenhouse gas method through producing 'medium temperature asphalt concrete mixture,' developed first in Korea, is approved as Ministry of Environment’s outside business methodology.

SK Innovation won Carbon Management Sector Honors in energy and utility from the global ESG evaluation institute, CDP (Carbon Disclosure Project).

2021

SK Geo Centric begins the commercial production of PBAT, plastic material that decomposes in nature, with KOLON Industries.

Business division of battery and petroleum development (E&P) / Launching independent corporations such as 'SK On' and 'SK Earthon'

SK global chemical changes its company name to 'SK Geo Centric.'
SK IE technology joins 'RE100 (Renewable Electricity 100)'
SK Innovation starts the nation’s first eco-friendly pyrolysis oil process at the Ulsan complex.

SK Innovation, announcing 'Carbon to Green' financial story

SK IE technology successfully completes its IPO with 80 trillion won in deposits, setting a new record.
SK Innovation establishes a battery producing JV 'BlueOvalSK' with Ford in the USA.

SK IE technology begins commercial production in the second Changzhou plant, which has a scale of 340 million square meters in total.

2020

SK IE technology starts commercially operating a separator plant in Changzhou, China, the size of 340 million square meters.

SK Global Chemicals was successful in producing a prototype solvent and lube base oil from pyrolysis oil degraded from waste plastics using heat.

SK Lubricants launches the industry’s first 'SK ZIC ZERO' using recycled materials.

SK Innovation decides to invest in building a second plant in the USA with a capacity of 11.76 GWh.

SK Energy completed the construction of VRDS early, an eco-friendly facility worth a trillion won of investment.

2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010

2019

SK Innovation signed the "Carbon Zero-Sum Project" MOU with Vietnam
SK global chemical holds an eco-friendliness forum regarding plastic packaging material.

SK global chemical takes over the highly-functional polymer business of ARKEMA in France.

SK Energy issues green bond worth 300 billion won
SK Innovation is appointed as “DJSI World Corporation” for 3 years in a row.
SK global chemical participates in PACK EXPO in Las Vegas, USA, for the first time.

SSK Innovation successfully procured a green loan for the first time in Korea.

SK Lubricants signed a supply contract with PetroChina in China to supply high-end lube base oil.
SK global chemical was appointed "The Best Corporation" for 7 years in a row, for the first corporation in the energy/chemical industry.

SK Innovation discovered additional crude oil at a Vietnamese exploration mining area (Southeast 15-1/05 offshore mining area).
SK Innovation announced a total of 579.9 billion won investment plan to invest in a new battery plant in China.

SK global chemical and Sinopec’s joint corporation "Sinopec-SK Petrochemical" takes over the Wuhan Refinery.
Through the division of material businesses, reorganized into 6 subsidiaries with the establishment of SK IE technology (SKIE).

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for a battery plant in Georgia, USA, with a capacity of 9.8GWh per year.

Participating in CES2019

2018

SK Innovation signed a contract with Volkswagen for electric vehicle batteries.

SK ZIC signed a sponsorship with FC Barcelona, a world-class club.
SK Innovation is building the first joint battery plant in Changzhou with the largest electric automobile corporation in China.

SK Energy launches "Home-Pick" service using the shared infrastructure for gas stations with GS Caltex.

Awarded with a residential citation as an excellent gender-equality company.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held for an electric car battery plant in Komárom, Hungary (the first sole plant in Europe).

SK Innovation successfully explored crude oil in the South China Sea.

2017

SK Innovation, appointed a "DJSI World Corporation"
Agreement between management and employees on principles and standards for the indexed wage increase for the first time in Korea as a large company

Decided to build 5th and 6th production facilities for 2GWh batteries.

2016

SK Innovation completed its third factory line with the Seosan Battery factory, ensuring the annual production of forty-thousand units

SK Global Chemicals was selected as the most honorable company in the 2015 common growth index

Decided to add two lithium-ion battery separator (LiBS) assembly units (no. 10 and no. 11) (to be completed in 2018 H1)

SK Innovation to supply EV batteries to Mercedes-Benz

2015

Completed construction of a joint plant between SK global chemical and SABIC of Saudi Arabia for Nexlene, a high-performance polyethylene

Completed construction of a joint base oil plant between SK lubricants and Repsol of Spain

Completed the expansion of the Seosan battery plant of SK innovation (securing battery supply for 30,000 electric vehicles)
Launched SABIC SK Nexlene Company (SSNC), a joint venture between SK global chemical and SABIC of Saudi Arabia
Completion ceremony for the joint factory for highly functional polyethylene, ‘Nexlene’

2014

Shenbao, an electric vehicle fitted with SK innovation's batteries, was selected as an official vehicle for APEC events.

Completed the joint plant construction of Ulsan Aromatic Corporation (UAC), a joint venture between SK global chemical and JX Energy of Japan
Started commercial production at the joint base oil plant between SK lubricants and Repsol of Spain

Adopted Soul EV as business vehicles for SK innovation

Signed a contract between SK global chemical and global chemical producer SABIC for a joint venture establishment for Nexlene, a high-performance polyethylene

Purchased oil production blocks in Oklahoma and Texas in the U.S. (securing oil block operation rights for the first time)

Added an 100Mwh production line in the Seosan battery plant
Launched Beijing BESK Technology, a joint venture with BAIC Group and Beijing Electronics Holding

2013

Participated in the 2013 Daegu World Energy Congress as a host sponsor (only private company)

Signed a contract with BAIC Group and Beijing Electronics Holding to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle batteries
Reorganized to have five subsidiaries by spinning off SK incheon petrochem (SKIPC) and SK trading international (SKTI)

Signed a letter of intent with BAIC Group and Beijing Electronics Holding for a joint venture establishment

2012

Won a presidential citation, the grand prize in Family-friendly Company Awards by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family

SK Innovation signed a comprehensive MOU with Sinopec for business expansion

Completed an information and electronic material plant construction (no. 6 and no. 7 lithium-ion separator (LiBS) units / flexible copper clad laminate (FCCL) production line)
Celebrated the 50th anniversary of the company's foundation and declared its year 2020 vision

Completion of a battery factory in Seosan

Signed a comprehensive business contract with Kia for EV production

Established JV for joint p-Xylene production with the Japanese JX NOE

Started selling Canter Eco Hybrid, a hybrid truck jointly developed with Mitsubishi Fuso

Completion of the third factory for lube-based oil

Founded SK Sugar Gliders women's handball team

2011

Exported naphtha cracking technology (ACO) using a catalyst developed for the first time in the world

Obtained the Brazilian government's approval for a Brazilian oil block sale contract with Danish company Maersk
Acquisition of sales information approval for mines in Brazil

Selected as a battery supplier for supercars of Mercedes Benz. Won prize in Transparent Management Awards
Petroleum and chemical businesses split. Name changed to SK innovation

SK Innovation launched its 4th affiliate system

2010

Completion of 4th and 5th LiBS

Selected as a battery provider for high-speed electric vehicles of Hyundai and Kia Motors

Completed the Peru LNG plant construction

2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000

2009

Launched SK Lubricants

2008

Completed the third advanced facility

Completed the base oil plant construction in Indonesia

Completed merging into SK Incheon Refinery

2007

Launched a holding company and SK Energy

Started a base oil plant construction in Indonesia

Formed a strategic relationship with Nippon Mitsubishi Oil and a strategic partnership to globally commercialize ACO technology

2006

Ready to enter the hybrid car battery market

Joined the Kazakhstan oil block exploration

Joined the Madagascar oil block exploration

Completion of Ulsan Grand Park

Launched SK Incheon Oil Refinery

Started the Peru LNG project in earnest

2005

Signed a contract to acquire Incheon Refinery

Completed construction of the green ultra-low-sulfur fuel oil production facility

Won prize in the 6th Audit Awards

Exported the first-ever developed APU technology

Selected as having the best corporate governance in 2005

2004

Established SK China Holding Company

Completed the second lube base oil factory

Launched a corporate-wide voluntary service group

Started the second construction phase of Ulsan Grand Park

Declared a New SK and revised SKMS

2003

Worked on the Gwangyang LNG complex thermal power plant project, Korea's first private commercial power plant, with BP (Currently, SK E&S)

Started developing crude oil in the Su Tu Den 15-1 oil block in Vietnam where stakes are owned

2002

Held a retirement ceremony of the first atmospheric distillation facility, Korea's first refining unit

Completed the first construction phase of Ulsan Grand Park

2001

Started telematics business and pilot service (TMS service sold to SKT in 2000. Currently, T map service)

Identified marketability of crude oil produced in the 15-1 oil block in Vietnam

2000

Sold anti-depressant agent (YKP10A) technology to Johnson & Johnson (Currently, SK Biopharmaceuticals, a 2007 spin-off under SK inc.)

Opened OKCashbag.com, Korea's largest hub website (The business sold to SK Planet in 2000)

1999
1997
1996
1995
1994
1992
1991
1990

1999

Sold anti-epileptic agent technology

Began production of superphalt (polymer modified asphalt)

Started the OK Cashbag service, a mileage discount service

1997

Established SK Inc.

Established SK E&P Company, a local oil field development subsidiary

Opened the second synthetic resin manufacturing facility (320,000 tons per year)

Opened the second residue desulfurization (60,000 barrels per day) and cracking (50,000 barrels per day) facility

1996

Opened the fifth atmospheric distillation facility (240,000 barrels per day / total production of 810,000 barrels per day)

Started producing commercial crude oil from the eighth oil block in Peru

1995

Launched Enclean, a gasoline brand
Launched ZIC, a lubricant brand

Opened the fourth kerosene and light oil hydrodesulfurzation facility (50,000 barrels per day)

Changed the company name from Sunkyung Group to SK

Opened Daeduk Technology Center

1994

Initiated crude oil production from North Zaafarana, Egypt

1992

Opened the first residue desulfurization (30,000 barrels per day) and cracking (30,000 barrels per day) facility

1991

Vertical integration completed

Opened the fourth atmospheric distillation facility (200,000 barrels per day)

Completion of PO/SM manufacturing facilities

Launch ceremony for EPDM factories

1990

Opened the first synthetic resin manufacturing facility (250,000 tons per year)

Opening ceremony for a trading company, Heungguk

1989
1988
1987
1985
1984
1983
1982
1980

1989

Opened the second naphtha cracking facility (400,000 tons per year)

1988

PO/SM contract signing ceremony: official launch of ‘Yukong Ako Chemical Co., Ltd.’ established by 50:50 joint investment with Ako Chemical Co., Ltd.

Started adopting oil produced in the Marib oil block in Yemen

1987

Opened a grease manufacturing plant

Signed an oil supply contract with Malaysia's state-run oil corporation
Signed a contract with US Kellogg introducing technology for the construction of NEP manufacturing facilities

1985

Opened a new aromatic manufacturing plant (400,000 tons per year)
Opened a new aromatic manufacturing plant (NAC)

Improved atmospheric distillation facilities to expand refining capacity (345,000 barrels per day)
Established a technology support research center in Ulsan

Merged with Korea Oil Holdings Energy

1984

Yukong listed on the stock exchange

Successful oil field development in Marib, Yemen

Seoul National University opened a Yukong research center

1983

Commissioned training for Saudi Arabian trainees

Completion of CLX main building in Ulsan

1982

Founded the Yukong Elephants FC

Signed a supply contract with Kuwait
Name changed from the Korea Oil Corporation to Yukong

1980

Sunkyung Group acquires Korea National Oil Corporation.
Inauguration of late chairman Chey Jong-hyon as the president of Korea National Oil Corporation

The Korea Oil Holdings Corporation took over the 50% stocks held by Gulf.

Expanded the lubricant blending plant (4,500 barrels per day at present)

1979
1974
1973
1972
1970
1969
1968
1967
1964
1963
1962

1979

Expanded the naphtha cracking center (155,000 tons of methylene per year)

1974

Expanded the second atmospheric distillation facility (110,000 barrels per day)

Opened an oil reservoir in Seoul

Expansion of lead sand decomposition facilities

1973

Opened a naphtha cracking center (100,000 tons of methylene per year)
Completion of a naphtha cracking center

1972

Opened the third atmospheric distillation facility (105,000 barrels per day)

Completed a long-range oil pipeline construction from Ulsan to Daegu

1970

Gulf acquired 50% of the stocks and management rights
Opened an aromatic manufacturing plant (216,000 tons per year)
Completion of a petrochemical plant (aromatic)

1969

Korea's first modern gas station, Cheonggiwa gas station in Seogyo-dong

1968

Opened a lubricant blending plant (550 barrels per day)

Opened the second atmospheric distillation facility (60,000 barrels per day)

1967

Expanded the first atmospheric distillation facility (55,000 barrels per day)
Completed construction of the second atmospheric distillation facility

1964

Opened the first atmospheric distillation facility (35,000 barrels per day)

1963

Signed a basic agreement with Gulf Oil

1962

Established the Korea Oil Corporation, Korea's first refinery