An LG Chem researcher analyzes the physical properties of the industry's first white recycled ABS at a lab in Seoul, on Nov. 20. Courtesy of LG Chem

LG Chem is focusing on sustainability as its key competitiveness factor and increasing research and development in the eco-friendly sector.

The company's development of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics is one good example of its effort to utilize waste resources.

LG Chem succeeded in developing and mass-producing white PCR acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) for the first time in the world in July 2019. ABS refers to high-value-added synthetic resin. It is a type of plastic raw material that has outstanding processibility and can be applied in various colors ― so it is used in car interiors and home appliances such as televisions, air purifiers, refrigerators and hair dryers.

LG Chem produces about 2 million tons of ABS annually, ranking first in the global market share.

PCR ABS is often made by shredding discarded home appliances and separating recyclable ABS from the shredded material. It was mostly produced in black and gray as it had been nearly impossible to collect recyclable waste categorized by colors.

After more than a year of R&D, LG Chem invented a material that can connect broken molecules of recycled ABS. This allows the chemical company to make white-colored ABS by adding specially produced pigments.

In addition, LG Chem has developed a high-quality and eco-friendly plastic made with 60 percent PCR polycarbonate which it is supplying to global IT companies. In the near future, the company plans to increase the content of PCR polycarbonate in its products up to 85 percent and expand its product line to polyolefin. (Advertorial)