Lotte Chemical and Korea University Medical Center Collaborate to Develop Antiviral Plastic Materials

[Asia Economy Reporter Hwang Yoon-joo] Lotte Chemical is partnering with Korea University Medical Center to develop antiviral plastic materials.

On the morning of the 28th, Lotte Chemical signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with Korea University Medical Center at the main building of Korea University College of Medicine in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, under the theme of "Joint Development of New Materials Safe to Use in the COVID-19 Era."

Through this agreement, Lotte Chemical and Korea University Medical Center agreed to jointly conduct research and development and performance evaluation of antiviral plastic materials for one year starting in October.

Currently, various antimicrobial materials are being released domestically, but research on plastic materials that can be safely used against viruses such as the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is insufficient. Through joint research with Korea University Medical Center, a COVID-19 virus research institution, they plan to proactively develop new plastic materials with broad antiviral performance.

Based on long-standing product technology, Lotte Chemical developed and has been supplying antimicrobial materials applicable to plastics and artificial marble used in daily life and bathroom products, electrical and electronic components, and furniture since 2017. In addition, in September this year, it became the first in the world to obtain ISO 21702 certification, the international standard for antiviral processed products, by verifying antiviral performance against Influenza A virus in the synthetic resin material field. Based on the research results with Korea University Medical Center, they plan to commercialize synthetic resin materials with enhanced COVID-19 antiviral performance by next year to contribute to daily quarantine efforts.

Lee Young-jun, CEO of Lotte Chemical, said, "Based on this joint research, we will continuously secure differentiated material solutions tailored to the trends of the WITH COVID era and do our best to enhance customer satisfaction and product competitiveness."

Kim Young-hoon, director of Korea University Medical Center, stated, "Based on the excellent research capabilities and technologies of both institutions, we will contribute to the healthy lives of humanity through collaboration, while revitalizing the medical industry and realizing social value."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.