CO2 to Petrochemical Raw Materials... LG Chem-KIST Operate 'Carbon Neutral Laboratory'

Technology Transfer Agreement Ceremony and Laboratory Plaque Unveiling Held at KIST Seoul Headquarters on the 26th

[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] LG Chem and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) have officially begun joint research and development for the commercialization of carbon neutrality technologies.

On the 26th, the two organizations announced that they held a technology transfer agreement ceremony and a joint research lab plaque unveiling at KIST's Seoul headquarters for the development of carbon neutrality technologies. Previously, in April last year, the two institutions signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and identified 10 promising carbon neutrality technology projects.

Among these, considering commercialization potential and market impact, they decided to operate joint research labs for the transfer of 'electrochemical production technology of ethylene using carbon dioxide' and 'biological production technology of organic acids using biomass and by-product gases.'

The former technology uses electricity to directly convert carbon dioxide into ethylene, which is used as a raw material for various petrochemical products such as PVC (polyvinyl chloride). LG Chem anticipates that once commercialized, this technology will not only contribute to achieving carbon neutrality but also produce economically viable ethylene, resulting in significant ripple effects.

The latter is a fundamental technology independently developed by KIST and has not yet been commercialized. It enables the production of essential raw materials for eco-friendly materials by utilizing biomass such as fermentable sugars and by-product gases generated from industrial processes. According to LG Chem, this technology can expand raw materials beyond sugarcane and corn to include wood waste from agriculture and forestry, simultaneously addressing food resource protection and carbon emission reduction.

Yoon Seok-jin, President of KIST, stated, "Achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 hinges on the presence of new technologies that have never existed before, which is a key factor determining success. The research collaboration between KIST and LG Chem will serve as a good role model for the early commercialization of fundamental technologies." Yoo Ji-young, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of LG Chem, emphasized, "We will continue to strengthen innovative technologies and R&D capabilities related to carbon neutrality as a science company leading sustainability."

LG Chem also revealed that to advance as a science company leading sustainability, it is actively considering expanding cooperation with KIST into hydrogen production and utilization, low-carbon innovative processes, and other areas based on its R&D strategy. The two institutions are also operating various personnel exchange programs to sustain their research collaboration. LG Chem runs a scholarship program linked to employment for KIST research students, while KIST conducts a doctoral program dispatch for LG Chem researchers.

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