Using 3-hydroxypropionic acid as raw material, LG Chem is about to commercialize a new biodegradable material

On July 28, LG Chem and GS Caltex signed an MOU agreement for the development of the white bio-industry and Yeosu City to jointly build a pilot plant that can create a white bio-ecosystem and commercialize environmentally friendly bio-materials
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3HP is a biological raw material produced through environmentally friendly fermentation engineering
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It is used in raw materials such as acrylic acid (Acrylic acid), acrylonitrile (Acrylonitrile) and biodegradable materials
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From personal hygiene products to lightweight materials for electric vehicles, 3HP is evaluated as a substance with a wide range of applications and high extensibility
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The two companies signed a joint development agreement (JDA) for 3HP mass production technology development and trial product production in November last year
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The two companies plan to complete the construction of the 3HP pilot plant at GS Caltex's Yeosu plant and produce trial products in 2023
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After that, it plans to accelerate its entry into the biodegradable material and diversified bioplastics market through commercialization
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The construction of the pilot plant is of great significance, as LG Chem's fermentation production technology and GS Caltex's process equipment technology synergize, the two parties will formally promote the high value-added environmental biochemical business
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There have been attempts to develop 3HP technology around the world, but so far there is no commercial or commercial example
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LG Chem has a world-class original 3HP fermentation technology and successfully developed PLH (Poly Lactate 3-Hydroxypropionate), a new biodegradable material that can achieve the same mechanical properties as synthetic resins, for the first time in the world using this technology in October 2020.

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In addition to 3HP, LG Chem and GS Caltex also signed a cooperation agreement (MOU) for the development of 1,4-butanediol (1,4-BDO) technology, which is used in the manufacture of biodegradable materials and carbamates.
Environmentally friendly raw materials
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Through this agreement, the two companies intend to conduct comprehensive cooperation in the field of white biology in the future, and will also actively explore solutions for realizing sustainable development of biological ecosystems
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In addition, Yeosu City, LG Chem and GS Caltex also signed a business agreement (MOU)
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The agreement aims to promote the development of Korea's white bio-industry, carbon neutrality, and the activation of a circular economy
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In order to carry out this trial business smoothly, Yeosu City will do its best to support through this agreement.
The two companies also discuss that in the future, when promoting commercialization, Yeosu City will be included as a priority in the area for the new factory
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Shin Hak-cheol, Vice President of LG Chem, said, "It is meaningful that the two companies representing Korea's oil refining and chemical industry are working together for a sustainable future.
" He continued, "Starting with the establishment of a 3HP pilot plant in Yeosu City, The company will continue to strengthen cooperation on carbon neutrality in the field of white biology
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In July 2019, LG Chem also became the world's first successful company in the commercial production of environmentally friendly PCR white ABS (high value-added synthetic resin)
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Next, LG Chem plans to commercialize the biodegradable material PBAT (PolyButylene Adipate-co-Terephthalate) by 2024 and PLA (Poly Lactic Acid) by 2025
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