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LG Chem: Corn starch and other products replace petroleum-based materials! The first to achieve commercialized bio-based acrylic acid.

Fully biodegradable materials 2025-03-27 11:44:30

LG Chem's bio-based ASA material enhancement will make it the first company to commercialize bio-based acrylic acid.

Recently, LG Chem announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Hanssem, a South Korean home furnishings company, for the joint development of eco-friendly molding materials for home use, officially entering the eco-friendly kitchen home materials market. Through this agreement, LG Chem will provide high-performance plastics made from plant-based materials, specifically ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate), to be used as surface materials for Hanssem's kitchen home products under the "e'clat" brand. The "e'clat" products are expected to be launched in the first half of the year, and these products will feature the "LETZero" eco-friendly brand logo for consumer sales.

Traditional ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is made from SAN (Styrene Acrylonitrile copolymer) and acrylic rubber, also known as impact modified resin, and belongs to engineering plastics. SAN (AS) features transparency, glossiness, impact resistance, and chemical resistance, and is widely used in various products such as home appliances, office equipment, and cosmetic containers. Acrylonitrile (A) provides rigidity, styrene (S) enhances processability, while acrylic (A) rubber acts like an elastic network that absorbs impact.

Therefore, in terms of application scenarios, ASA is used for kitchen and household surface materials, such as countertops and cabinet panels (oil and high-temperature steam resistant), as well as bathroom fittings (moisture resistant). It may replace traditional plastics or wood, offering better weather resistance and aesthetics.

LG Chem's breakthrough lies in replacing part of the petroleum-based raw materials with plant-based components such as corn starch, significantly reducing the carbon footprint while maintaining weather resistance comparable to traditional ASA (resistance to degradation, aging, and fading caused by UV exposure). Even more noteworthy is that the introduction of plant-based monomers has not compromised processing advantages, exhibiting higher strength and flowability, as well as a high gloss (gloss at 60° angle > 90) and fingerprint resistance, making it suitable for high-end home aesthetics.

Based on raw material substitution, this collaboration may suggest an improvement in the recyclability of LG's bio-based ASA materials. Go Yeong Nam, director of the Hansen Institute, stated: "Most materials used in households are difficult to recycle and are often incinerated when discarded, which inevitably leads to an increase in carbon emissions. Therefore, we will implement low-carbon emission reduction actions by developing eco-friendly home molding materials."

Traditional ASA often experiences phase separation during melt regeneration due to the presence of acrylate rubber, leading to a significant decline in mechanical properties. As a result, it is typically only suitable for downgrading or landfilling. Biobased ASA, if using chemical depolymerization technologies like the LETZero system from LG Chem, can be depolymerized into monomers for re-polymerization, achieving closed-loop recycling and theoretically overcoming the recycling bottleneck of traditional ASA. However, this technology requires supporting chemical recycling facilities and has higher operational complexity and energy consumption compared to traditional mechanical recycling.

On February 13th, LG Chem announced that it will begin producing bio-based acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year, with an annual production capacity of 100 tons. LG Chem may become the first company to commercialize bio-based acrylic acid, completing the final piece of the ASA commercialization chain.

This initiative marks the birth of the world's first commercial project for bio-based acrylic acid, and LG Chem may become the first company to commercialize bio-based acrylic acid.

Bio-based acrylic acid is produced from plant-based raw materials through the microbial fermentation of 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP). Compared to traditional acrylic acid, bio-based acrylic acid not only retains the same molecular structure and properties but is also entirely based on renewable resources, significantly reducing the carbon footprint. This product has received the 100% bio-based product label certified by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), further validating its environmentally friendly attributes.

LG Chem's independently developed 3HP strain and fermentation technology have laid a solid foundation for the large-scale production of bio-based acrylic acid. This product can be widely used in cosmetics, superabsorbent polymers (SAP), electronic products, adhesives, coating materials, and eco-friendly coatings, making it particularly suitable as an ingredient in cosmetics that come into direct contact with the skin, meeting the growing market demand for natural and sustainable raw materials.

With the increasing global demand for sustainable development, the market prospects for bio-based acrylic acid are broad. LG Chem plans to focus on promoting its products to sustainable companies in North America and Europe, particularly in the cosmetics industry. The demand for plant-based and natural ingredients in the cosmetics sector continues to grow, while also requiring that product functionality is not compromised. It is expected to become a key market for bio-based acrylic acid.

In addition, LG Chem will operate a customized bio-based acrylic acid production system to respond quickly to customer demands and consider expanding production facilities as market demand increases. This flexible production strategy will help LG Chem maintain a leading position in a highly competitive market.

In 2024, LG Chem collaborated with Daebong LS Co. to develop a functional cosmetic formula based on 3HP and ensure its stability. Both parties plan to complete efficacy verification through clinical trials in 2025, further promoting the commercialization of bio-based acrylic acid in the cosmetics field.

3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), as a key intermediate for bio-based acrylic acid, is a high-value organic acid with extensive application potential in fields such as medicine, personal care, coatings, adhesives, textiles, food, and feed. However, due to limitations in synthetic technology, the production efficiency and industry output of 3HP are relatively low, and large-scale commercialization has not yet been achieved. In recent years, research institutions and companies both domestically and internationally have invested resources in developing 3HP synthesis technology based on engineered microorganisms. Among Chinese companies, Beijing Microstructure Workshop, Shanghai Huahao Chemical, and Hubei Hengjingrui Chemical, among others, have the technical reserves for producing bio-based 3HP, demonstrating significant growth potential in this field.

According to market research reports, the global 3-hydroxypropionic acid market was approximately 940 million yuan in 2023, with North America holding a major share. With advancements in biosynthesis technology and the rapid development of the biodegradable materials market, it is expected that the global 3-hydroxypropionic acid market will grow at an average annual compound growth rate of around 20% from 2024 to 2028.

LG Chem is a leading chemical company in South Korea, with significant influence in the global chemical industry. Its business is extensive, covering sectors such as basic materials and plastics, information electronic materials, and energy solutions. In the field of basic materials and plastics, it produces high-quality petrochemical products and synthetic rubber, providing fundamental raw materials for various industries, including automotive and construction. In the information electronic materials sector, it is a globally renowned supplier of display materials, and its production of liquid crystal display (LCD) and organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials contributes to achieving clearer and more vibrant display effects in electronic products.

In October 2023, LG Chem, in collaboration with GS Caltex, accelerated the commercialization of 3HP (3-hydroxypropionic acid), a core raw material for biodegradable plastics and other materials. After two years of technical breakthroughs and production line adjustments, LG Chem has finally established a global first-mover advantage in the field of bio-based acrylic acid.

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LG Chem: Corn starch and other products replace petroleum-based materials! The first to achieve commercialized bio-based acrylic acid.

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