Resource virtuous cycle activities and ecosystem protection
Our approach
Plastic Recycling
LG Chem produces post consumer recycled plastics (PCR) that recycle waste plastics as raw materials to reduce the plastic waste that are buried and incinerated. We are also establishing a virtuous circulation of resources by reducing the use of existing fossil fuel-based raw materials. Plastic recycling is largely divided into mechanical recycling and chemical recycling
Mechanical recycling is a method of separating, sorting, and shredding plastic waste, then introducing it into existing processes to recreate plastic products. Currently , LG Chem produces PCR products with high waste plastic content in ABS and PC products, and has succeeded in improving quality by producing white plastic. In the future, LG Chem will further expand the PCR product range to include PO and PVC. For chemical recycling, the chemical conversion of waste plastics back to raw materials such as conventional naptha can achieve equal quality to conventional raw materials, although it requires high investment costs and high technical advancement.
LG Chem aims to establish chemical recycling as our mid- to long-term strategy, securing technology and promoting product commercialization through various partnerships.
Biodegradable Plastics
Plastic waste is a global challenge, especially if it ends up in the oceans and fragmented into microplastics and degrade over centuries. LG Chem takes plastic wastes seriously and seeks to protect the ecosystem and enhance environmental sustainability by developing biodegradable plastics.
Zero Waste to Landfill from Business Sites
To achieve the virtuous cycle of resources from production to consumption to regeneration, LG Chem continues to take initiatives to reduce the generation of waste from our business sites and convert the waste into resources and energy.
LG Chem’s operations in Iksan (battery materials) and Naju, as well as Huajin New Energy Materials, a joint venture between LG Chem and Huayu Cobalt located in China, have reached waste recycling rates of over 90% and received "Zero Waste to Landfill" certifications by UL Solutions, a global safety science company.
LG Chem requires new business sites to generate zero waste to landfill and will gradually expand the practice across all existing sites. By reducing and recycling waste generation at business sites, we seek to lower our carbon emissions.
