LG Chem to Build Fourth CNT Factory for 'Next-Generation Materials'... "World's Largest Single Line"

Expansion of CNT (Carbon Nanotube) Capacity by 3200t
Construction of CNT Plant 4 at Daesan Factory, Chungnam, by Second Half of 2024
Increase from Current 1700t to Total 6100t
World's Largest Scale Based on Single Line

A view of the LG Chem carbon nanotube factory located in Yeosu, Jeollanam-do. Photo by LG Chem

[Asia Economy Reporter Donghoon Jeong] LG Chem is set to build an additional CNT (carbon nanotube) factory, the largest of its kind in South Korea. This move aims to secure a solid competitive edge in the rapidly growing global CNT market, centered on electric vehicle battery materials such as cathode materials.

On the 30th, LG Chem announced plans to construct a CNT Plant 4 with an annual production capacity of 3,200 tons at its Daesan plant in Chungnam Province. This will be LG Chem's fourth CNT factory, following Plant 2, which began commercial operations last year, and Plant 3, which started construction earlier this year.

CNT is a next-generation material with electrical and thermal conductivity comparable to copper and diamond, and strength 100 times that of steel. Its applications are broad, including electric vehicle batteries, conductive paints, automotive electrostatic painting exterior materials, and planar heating elements.

Once CNT Plant 4 is completed, LG Chem's total CNT production capacity will reach 6,100 tons annually, including the existing Plants 1 and 2 (1,700 tons in Yeosu) and the currently expanding Plant 3 (1,200 tons in Yeosu). Construction of Plant 4 is scheduled to begin in the first half of next year, with commercial operations targeted for the second half of 2024.

LG Chem first operated a 500-ton scale CNT Plant 1 in 2017 and has been expanding CNT factories annually in the 2020s in response to market growth.

LG Chem's CNT factories feature fluidized bed reactors developed in-house, capable of mass production of up to 600 tons per production line annually. This is the world's largest scale for a single line. Additionally, by using proprietary cobalt-based catalysts, they reduce magnetic impurities that could affect battery quality, achieving world-class quality. In contrast, iron catalysts commonly used in the industry have relatively higher metal and magnetic impurity content compared to cobalt, requiring separate post-processing for productization.

For CNT Plant 4, innovations such as improved reactor stability and process automation have optimized production line operations, enhancing productivity per person by about 20% compared to previous plants.

LG Chem's CNT will be supplied as cathode conductive additives to battery manufacturers, including LG Energy Solution, a global leader in the electric vehicle battery market. The company plans to expand supply to various industrial sectors. Cathode conductive additives facilitate the flow of electricity and electrons, particularly increasing lithium-ion conductivity within cathode materials composed of active materials like nickel, cobalt, and manganese, thereby improving charge-discharge efficiency.

LG Chem CNT product. Photo by LG Chem

Using CNT as a cathode conductive additive achieves conductivity about 10% higher than conventional carbon black, reducing the amount of conductive additive used by approximately 30%. This allows more cathode material to be included, significantly increasing battery capacity and lifespan. CNT is also being considered as a primary conductive additive in next-generation batteries such as anode materials, lithium-sulfur, and solid-state batteries.

According to industry sources, the CNT market for battery conductive additives is expected to grow to about 3 trillion KRW (2.3 billion USD) by 2030. Consequently, global CNT demand is projected to increase from 5,000 tons last year to 70,000 tons by 2030, with an average annual growth rate exceeding 30%.

LG Chem is currently expanding sales to new battery customers secured beyond LG Energy Solution and is accelerating efforts to secure material reliability from automakers based on world-class CNT quality.

Additionally, LG Chem is actively increasing CNT sales in new application fields beyond batteries, such as conductive paints, planar heating elements for road ice prevention (black ice), and semiconductor process trays. For example, applying CNT to trays used in semiconductor processes provides excellent electrical conductivity, enabling them to withstand high temperatures and block dust, electromagnetic waves, and static electricity.

Rokrae Noh, Head of LG Chem's Petrochemical Business Division, stated, "We will solidify our top position in the battery conductive additive sector with our proprietary manufacturing competitiveness and excellent quality, and accelerate pioneering new markets with great potential."

Meanwhile, LG Chem began full-scale R&D for CNT proprietary technology development in 2011, established a 20-ton scale pilot line in 2013, and started developing conductive compounds and battery products in 2014. To date, the company holds over 300 related patents.

Alongside this, LG Chem plans to continue pursuing mid- to long-term projects for enhancing CNT manufacturing competitiveness, such as improving reactor productivity and process innovation, further expanding the differentiated competitiveness of its unique CNT products.

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