LG Chem expands eco-friendly portfolio
LG Chem researcher tests chemicals / Courtesy of LG Chem
LG Chem is building a diverse business portfolio with eco-friendly future technologies, from environmentally friendly and recycled plastic materials to bio-based raw materials and sustainable automotive components.
The leading chemical company announced it is planning to expand the manufacturing of bio-circular balanced products using bio-based raw materials, such as waste cooking oil and plant waste, in its effort to reduce greenhouse gas.
LG Chem inked a joint venture agreement with Italy's largest oil company, Eni, last January. It aims to open Korea's first hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) plant by next year, with an annual capacity of 300,000 tons and the ability to manage the full production process, from raw materials to final products. HVO is a facility that produces renewable diesel fuel from hydrotreated vegetable oil, which can be used as a raw material for eco-friendly plastic products.
The company currently has 61 ISCC Plus certified products, including super absorbent polymer and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
The company is also expediting its efforts to establish chemical recycling plants and its related technologies, planning to build Korea's first pyrolysis oil plant with 20,000 tons of annual capacity in South Chungcheong Province by the end of 2025.
The forthcoming plant would apply chemical recycling technology to decompose mixed waste plastics with high-temperature and high-pressure supercritical steam. It is expected to have a production capacity of over eight tons of pyrolysis oil from 10 tons of vinyl and plastic waste.
A logo for LG Chem / Courtesy of LG Chem
The company forged a partnership with the local water resource company Netspa in January 2023 and has been working toward reducing marine waste while also reducing carbon by about three times with recycled plastic raw material.
It also has been working with local governments in Seoul, Ansan and Siheung, not only to obtain a stable stream of raw material but also to establish a system to reduce waste.
With global warming a major issue across industries, LG Chem developed technology to convert carbon dioxide into polyethylene carbonate (PEC) with high efficiency using its proprietary catalyst, introducing the world's first cosmetic container made of PEC.
PEC can be used in various industries, including cosmetic containers and food packaging while contributing to reduced air pollution during disposal.
LG Chem is also stepping into the sunroof protection film market, signing a supply contract last April with the German company Webasto for its switchable glazing film.
The company will provide the film to Webasto for several years to be installed across vehicles distributed in Europe in a deal worth hundreds of billions of won.
The film that adjusts light and heat with electrical signals is often used for sunroofs and turns transparent when applying voltage.
LG Chem already holds more than 200 patents domestically and internationally with its expertise in the electronics materials field. Its film differentiates itself from other companies’ products with less light interference that allows a clearer view from any direction.
The company plans to roll out the film for sales by the latter half of this year, utilizing its production facility, which is capable of accommodating about 3 million vehicles annually.
The company has also successfully replaced traditional metal components, applying electrostatic coating plastic materials for front fenders on automobiles. Their innovative material combines polyphenylene ether and polyamide with carbon nanotubes to create a plastic that conducts electricity, withstands high temperatures, and resists impacts.
Proving itself to be about 4 kilograms lighter than previous steel equivalents, the plastic fender has improved fuel efficiency and reduces carbon emissions while enduring over 200 degrees of heat in its painting process.
The technology can be expanded to other exterior components like bumpers, side mirrors and trunks, with demands expected to increase as the automotive industry continues to prioritize vehicle weight reduction.