LG Chem's First Export of SAP Using Bio-Based Raw Materials

LG Chem employees are celebrating the first shipment of Bio-balanced SAP at the Yeosu plant.

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyewon] LG Chem is intensifying its push into the eco-friendly certified product market by applying bio-based raw materials.

On the 4th, LG Chem announced that it has started mass production and export shipments of the world's first 'Bio-balanced Super Absorbent Polymer (Bio-balanced SAP)' certified with the ISCC Plus international certification. This is the first time an ISCC Plus certified product in the SAP sector has been commercially sold.

Bio-balanced SAP is a super absorbent polymer made using renewable waste cooking oil, palm by-products, and other materials, and it is the first case to apply LG Chem's recently launched eco-friendly integrated brand 'LETZero'.

This product, shipped from the Yeosu plant, will be supplied to Baby Life, a customer based in Jordan, and is expected to be used in baby diapers and other products.

An LG Chem official stated, "The first export of Bio-balanced SAP aligns with LG Chem's sustainability strategy, focusing on carbon neutrality and resource circulation activities, and matches the interests of customers who are concentrating on developing eco-friendly products to lead the global ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) trends."

As the eco-friendly trend accelerates in the hygiene product sector, LG Chem expects the Bio-balanced SAP business to expand significantly in the second half of the year, targeting not only Middle Eastern customers but also major global hygiene product customers in Europe and the United States.

Last year, LG Chem established a strategic partnership (MOU) with Neste to secure a stable supply of bio-based raw materials necessary for producing eco-friendly products, and began full-scale production of Bio-balanced SAP products from last month.

Based on this, LG Chem is accelerating the launch and market development of a total of nine Bio-balanced products certified with ISCC Plus, including SAP, PO (polyolefin), ABS (high value-added synthetic resin), and PVC (polyvinyl chloride). The number of ISCC Plus certified products is expected to expand to more than 30 within this year.

Additionally, LG Chem plans to systematically manage data obtained through conducting Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) with external specialized firms, evaluating all environmental impacts from raw material production to product shipment.

In fact, the LCA results show that LG Chem's Bio-balanced SAP has a carbon reduction effect of 111% compared to conventional products. This evaluation figure applies to products made with 100% bio-based raw material input and has been verified by the Korean Society for Life Cycle Assessment (KSLCA).

LG Chem's Nokukrae, Head of the Petrochemical Business Division, said, "This marks a significant starting point where the product portfolio in the petrochemical business is shifting toward eco-friendly materials," adding, "We will continue to expand ISCC Plus certified products and business sites to contribute to carbon neutrality while actively responding to customers' eco-friendly needs."

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