Sou Hu Cai Jing·2025-10-07 13:56Core Viewpoint - SK Group is selling its entire 35% stake in Sinopec-SK (Wuhan) Petrochemical Company, marking a retreat from the commodity chemicals sector amid industry challenges such as oversupply and declining profit margins [1][4]. Group 1: Transaction Details - The sale is expected to occur at a book value of approximately 819.3 billion KRW (around 594 million USD) [3]. - The Wuhan plant, established in 2013, had a total investment of 3.3 trillion KRW and was a symbol of SK's "China Insider" strategy, with an annual production capacity of 3.2 million tons of general chemicals, including 1.1 million tons of ethylene [3][4]. - The joint venture had generated nearly 2 trillion KRW in operating profit during its first eight years, benefiting from a shortage of ethylene [4]. Group 2: Industry Context - Since 2021, the plant has incurred losses exceeding 1 trillion KRW due to a surge in Chinese production capacity and stagnant domestic demand, with China's ethylene output nearly doubling from 2020 to 2023, reaching 60 million tons [4][6]. - SK Group's restructuring is not limited to South Korea but is extending to its overseas assets, indicating a broader shift in strategy [6]. Group 3: Strategic Shift - SK Group is pivoting towards its "ABC" strategy, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI), batteries, and chips, while reducing its involvement in businesses without a clear future [6][11]. - The proceeds from the sale are expected to be reinvested into growth areas, with a commitment to invest 8.2 trillion KRW in AI and semiconductor sectors by 2030 [11]. Group 4: Potential Buyers - Sinopec is considered the most likely buyer for the stake, as it is the world's largest refining company and could streamline decision-making by fully owning the Wuhan facility [9][10].