LG Chem Develops World's First Single-Material 'Biodegradable Plastic'

PP Material and Properties, Transparency Equivalent
Mass Production from 2025 After 2022 Prototype Evaluation

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoonju Hwang] LG Chem has succeeded in developing the world's first biodegradable single new material. Although domestic and international chemical companies such as BASF and SKC have developed biodegradable packaging materials before, LG Chem is the first to develop a biodegradable new material made of a single material that achieves characteristics and transparency equivalent to synthetic resins like polypropylene (PP). While existing biodegradable vinyl was crinkly and easily torn, the new material developed by LG Chem is expected to overcome these drawbacks, which is anticipated to have a significant ripple effect in the eco-friendly packaging industry.

◆World's First Single Material 'Biodegradable Plastic' Developed... Mass Production in 5 Years

On the 19th, LG Chem announced that it has independently developed a new material that dramatically improves the flexibility (elongation/stretchability) and transparency of existing biodegradable materials through proprietary technology and manufacturing methods. Prototype evaluations for customers were conducted in 2022, with mass production targeted for 2025.

The new material developed by LG Chem is a 100% bio-content biodegradable material utilizing glucose derived from corn and waste glycerol. Existing biodegradable materials required mixing with other plastic materials or additives to enhance flexibility, which led to limitations such as varying physical properties and prices depending on suppliers. The key feature of the newly developed material is that it is a single material capable of producing the quality and physical properties desired by customers for different applications.

LG Chem recently received confirmation from 'DIN CERTCO,' an international certification body for biodegradable materials in Germany, that the newly developed biodegradable material biodegrades more than 90% within 120 days according to European industrial biodegradability certification standards. Notably, the core element of flexibility has improved by up to 20 times compared to existing biodegradable products, and transparency is maintained even after processing.

LG Chem's success in developing this new material is due to its proprietary core technology for biodegradable substances. LG Chem currently holds a total of 25 patents domestically and internationally for biodegradable polymers, compositions, and manufacturing methods through proactive filings. Based on the secured new technology, LG Chem plans to accelerate its entry into the biodegradable material market and intensify efforts to secure bio raw materials for business expansion.

◆Global Chemical Industry Competition in Developing 'Eco-Friendly New Materials'

With this new material development, LG Chem has taken a step ahead in the global competition for eco-friendly packaging development. So far, the global chemical company BASF has been the leader in eco-friendly material development. BASF developed the first food packaging wrap certified as compostable.

In Korea, SKC is actively developing biodegradable materials alongside LG Chem. SKC commercialized PLA film for the first time in the world in 2009. The biodegradable PLA film is also produced from corn-extracted components and decomposes quickly when buried in soil. Since October 2018, it has been supplied as banana packaging for Starbucks Coffee Korea and is also supplied as vegetable packaging to a major domestic supermarket.

The reason why the domestic and international chemical industries are intensifying efforts to develop 'biodegradable materials' is due to strengthened regulations on single-use products worldwide, centered on the European Union (EU). Accordingly, demand for biodegradable materials is expected to increase. The industry anticipates that the biodegradable material market will grow at an average annual rate of about 15%, from 4.2 trillion KRW last year to 9.7 trillion KRW by 2025. Existing biodegradable resins have been used mainly for opaque packaging products due to the nature of mixed materials. However, the new material developed by LG Chem is transparent, enabling expanded applications in various fields such as plastic bags, air cap cushioning materials, disposable cups, foamed products, and mask nonwoven fabrics.

Noh Ki-soo, Chief Technology Officer (President) of LG Chem, said, "Amid growing global interest in eco-friendly materials, it is highly meaningful that we have succeeded in developing a biodegradable core material using 100% bio raw materials through proprietary technology." He added, "We will focus on research and development (R&D) in the eco-friendly material field and strive to become a company leading resource circulation and ecosystem protection."