Kolon Industries Inc., a leading industrial materials maker in South Korea, said on Wednesday it will inject 22 billion won ($16.6 million) to expand the production of aromatic polyamide fibers (aramid) pulp, which is used in automotive brake pads, gaskets and automatic transmission papers.

The unit of Kolon Group, a fashion-to-construction conglomerate, will increase the manufacturing capacity by 1,500 tons in its plant in Gumi, 190 kilometers southeast of Seoul. Its annual production of the materials will reach 3,000 tons as the construction is completed in the second half of 2024.

The increased facilities will manufacture both premium and basic products, Kolon Industries said.

Aramid pulp is manufactured by cutting and grounding aramid yarn. With its high temperature and abrasion resistance, the element is used as reinforcement material for protective clothing, fiber optic cables and car parts. It is also five times stronger than steel of the same weight.

Some non-asbestos organic (NAO) brake pads, using aramid pulp, produce 70% less dust than conventional brake pads that use steel fiber, as well as reduce noise and enhance durability.

By increasing the eco-friendly material production, the company will strive to meet growing demand from the global electric vehicle market. It will also expand the use of aramid pulp to composite materials in the aerospace industry.