LG Electronics to Expand Antibacterial Glass Powder 'Purotec'... Full-Scale Promotion of Functional Material Business

Antibacterial and Antifungal Effects When Added to Plastic, Rubber, and Paint
Annual Production Facility of 4,500 Tons at Changwon Smart Park, Gyeongnam
Global B2B Business Growth Expected
Sales Projected to Grow by 700%

LG Electronics is set to actively promote its functional materials business. The company plans to utilize antimicrobial glass powder 'PuroTec,' used in home appliances, as a future growth engine.

On the 23rd, LG Electronics announced that it will accelerate its antimicrobial functional material business, 'PuroTec.'

'PuroTec™' is a compound word of Pure (uncontaminated/clean), Protect, and Technology, representing LG Electronics' antimicrobial functional material that protects products in a clean and uncontaminated state. In the form of glass powder, PuroTec provides antimicrobial and antifungal effects that prevent odors, contamination, and discoloration caused by microorganisms when added in small amounts to materials such as plastic, paint, and rubber. Glass powder refers to fine particles obtained by grinding glass.

LG Electronics is accelerating its business in the antibacterial functional material 'Purotec'. The photo shows glass powder in various colors and cullet, which is the stage before being made into powder.
[Photo by LG Electronics]

Demand for antimicrobial functional materials has surged since COVID-19. Their applications are gradually expanding across various industries such as clothing, construction materials, and packaging.

LG Electronics began selling PuroTec domestically last year. This year, it is expanding into major Asian markets such as Vietnam and India, expecting sales growth of over 700% compared to last year.

LG Electronics started researching glass powder in 1996 and has developed various functional glass powders. To date, it has filed 219 related patents. Antimicrobial glass powder is applied to refrigerators, washing machines, dryers, and air conditioners, and a production facility with an annual capacity of 4,500 tons is established at the Smart Park in Changwon, Gyeongnam.

In 2022, LG Electronics added "manufacturing and sales of functional materials such as glass powder" to its articles of incorporation and is nurturing functional glass powder materials as a new business. The global market size is estimated at approximately 24 trillion KRW (as of 2023). With the rapid growth of the plastic materials market in countries like China and India, this field is also expected to become a promising global B2B new business.

LG Electronics is laying the groundwork for business expansion by showcasing PuroTec at plastic and rubber industry exhibitions and global markets. PuroTec was selected as the Innovation Product of the Year at 'Chinaplas 2024,' held in Shanghai, China, for four days starting on the 23rd. LG Electronics also plans to present PuroTec at the NPE (National Plastics Exposition) in the United States from May 6 to 10. Chinaplas in China, NPE in the U.S., and K-SHOW in Germany are considered the world's top three plastic industry exhibitions.

Ryu Jae-cheol, President of LG Electronics H&A Business Division, said, "Based on our expertise in researching glass powder and applying it to home appliances, LG Electronics will grow functional materials into a B2B business."