Introduction

As KPX continues its journey to build a stronger global polyurethane platform, the formation of KPX MIT marks a pivotal chapter—one defined by strategic intent, shared values, and long-term commitment to customers and employees across Southeast Asia.

During a recent visit to KPX headquarters in Seoul, Ms. Pairaya Kongkaew sat down with Mr. Seung-Koo Park, CEO of KPX Korea, to discuss the rationale behind the acquisition, the vision for KPX MIT, and how KPX aims to create lasting value for its people, partners, and markets. What follows is an edited and refined conversation, presented in a Q&A format.

The Interview

Pairaya: Mr. Park, thank you for welcoming us to KPX headquarters. Could you begin by briefly introducing yourself?
CEO Park:

Nice to meet you, Pairaya—and greetings to everyone at KPX MIT. My name is Seung-Koo Park, and I serve as CEO of KPX Korea. It is a pleasure to welcome colleagues from MIT and to share our perspective on MIT’s future within the KPX family. Thank you for making the journey to Seoul.

 

Q1 | Why KPX? Why MIT?
What was the main reason KPX Korea decided to acquire KPX MIT?
CEO Park:

This acquisition was driven by a clear strategic vision. KPX has long aimed to expand our polyurethane business beyond Korea and establish a strong, competitive presence in key international markets.

Southeast Asia represents a critical growth region, offering strong market fundamentals, a diverse customer base, and long-term demand potential.

MIT aligned exceptionally well with our strategic priorities, providing immediate market access, proven technical capabilities, and a solid leadership team with deep regional experience.

After careful evaluation, we were confident that MIT met all our investment and growth criteria. Once that conviction was established, we acted decisively.

KPX believes in moving with clarity and speed when the right opportunity supports our long-term strategy and strengthens our global competitiveness.

Q2 | From Transaction to Transformation
What were the key challenges during the acquisition, and where do you see the real synergy?
CEO Park:

Like most cross-border M&A projects, we faced challenges—time-zone differences from Houston to Seoul, differences in legal frameworks between the U.S. and Korea, and a very tight timeline.

However, both teams demonstrated strong discipline and collaboration. Senior management on both sides actively supported decision-making whenever issues arose.

What truly gave KPX confidence was the quality of leadership within MIT.

The management briefings by the former Huntsman SEA leadership Pranart, Petros, and Yap clearly demonstrated competence, ownership, and commitment. They showed us that the transition would be handled safely and effectively. And they delivered. Performance, ultimately, is everything.

From a business perspective, we see significant synergy—particularly in expanding Polyol system sales by leveraging MIT’s existing customer relationships and regional sales network.

“KPX MIT was a strategic opportunity to build a stronger polyurethane platform in ASEAN.”

Q3 | Strategy and Global Ambition
How does KPX MIT fit into KPX’s regional and global strategy?
CEO Park:

The acquisition directly supports our ambition to become a global leader in the polyurethane business. KPX MIT will serve as a strategic hub for ASEAN—allowing us to be closer to customers, respond faster to market needs, and build stronger regional capabilities.

MIT is not an extension of Korea; it is a critical pillar of KPX’s global platform.

Q4 | Looking Ahead: 5 to 10 Years
Where do you see KPX MIT in the next decade?
CEO Park:

MIT has strong fundamentals—clear strategy, synergy in Polyol systems, and committed support from KPX leadership. Ultimately, however, MIT’s future rests in the hands of its people.

The environment will not be easy. Competition, capacity surplus, de-globalization, high debt levels, and inflation will continue to challenge the industry.

That said, I firmly believe the combined strength of KPX Korea and MIT puts us in a better position than many peers to navigate these challenges. Most importantly, my aspiration is for MIT to become the most respected partner in the eyes of our customers. Respect is the foundation of long-term success.

 

“The ultimate measure of success is not market share but being the most respected partner to our customers.”

 

Q5 | Culture and Integration
How will KPX integrate corporate culture across Korea and MIT?
CEO Park:

KPX is guided by five core values: Integrity, Respect, Responsible Care, Challenge, and Differentiation. These values define how we think, decide, and act.

I encourage all MIT members to embrace these values, while continuing to build on MIT’s strong local culture—especially in areas such as CSR, sustainability, and leadership development.

Corporate culture is not slogans on a wall. It reveals itself in daily conversations and key business decisions. That is why I strongly support frequent interaction across KPX and MIT. Our doors in Korea are always open to MIT colleagues.

Q9 | ASEAN: Opportunity Amid Complexity
What opportunities and challenges do you see in ASEAN?
CEO Park:
ASEAN faces uncertainty—geopolitics, trade shifts, and global volatility. Our responsibility is to distinguish short-term noise from long-term structural change.
At the same time, ASEAN offers strong fundamentals: manufacturing capability, skilled talent, and growing demand for polyurethane solutions.

Emerging sectors—such as EVs and data centers in Thailand and the region—will create new opportunities.
Success lies in balancing near-term execution with long-term vision.

Key Takeaways
What “Becoming KPX MIT” Means

• KPX MIT is a strategic growth platform, not a standalone acquisition
• Customers remain at the center—respect and trust define success
• Strong leadership and people are KPX MIT’s greatest assets
• Innovation, sustainability, and open collaboration drive competitiveness
• KPX values guide behavior—not slogans, but daily decisions

Closing
The journey of KPX MIT is just beginning, but its direction is clear. Built on shared values, strategic intent, and people-driven leadership, KPX MIT stands ready to create long-term value for customers, employees, and partners across ASEAN.

A Conversation with KPX Group CEO on Objectives, Values, and the Road Ahead