South Korea's 19 major petrochemical makers plan to invest a total of 5.8 trillion won ($5.15 billion) this year, up 2% from last year, and expect exports to reach a record of $39.9 billion, the government said on Thursday.

The petrochemical producers invested 5.7 trillion won in 2010, up nearly 60% from the preceding year, and posted $35.7 billion in exports, up 30%, the Ministry of Knowledge Economy said in a statement.

The 19 firms include Honam Petrochemical, LG Chem and SK Global Chemical.