LS Electric Targets 25 Trillion Won Market with Ultra-High Efficiency Motor

First in Korea to Achieve IE5 Certification, Launch of Ultra-High Efficiency Motor
Ultra-High Efficiency Motors Can Replace the Output of One Nuclear Power Plant

LS Electric has become the first company in Korea to launch an ultra-premium (IE5) grade ultra-high efficiency motor, officially entering the global motor market, which is valued at approximately 25 trillion won. Industrial motors are used to power manufacturing machinery such as factory automation equipment, and energy efficiency is a key factor in this sector.

On July 7, LS Electric announced that it had launched the first IE5 grade ultra-high efficiency motor among Korean companies. Motors are devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy to generate rotational power, and their energy efficiency grades are determined by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC). The IE5 grade represents the highest level among the internationally recognized motor efficiency classes.

LS Electric Smart Factory exterior. LS Electric

Improving motor efficiency requires a combination of electrical technology, materials technology, and production, design, and structural engineering. The IE5 grade ultra-high efficiency motor market has been dominated by a few major overseas companies, such as ABB and Siemens, and LS Electric is the first company in Korea to release a product in this category.

The motor developed by LS Electric is approximately 3% more energy efficient than the IE3 grade motors currently used in most domestic facilities. It is expected to deliver significant electricity cost savings in industries with high energy consumption and long operating hours, such as steel, cement, and water treatment.

Industrial motors account for about half of global electricity consumption, making them a key area for reducing energy use. If all motors used in Korea were replaced with ultra-high efficiency motors, annual electricity consumption would decrease by 9 TWh (terawatt-hours). This is equivalent to the output of more than one nuclear power plant, and would translate to savings of about 1 trillion won in electricity bills. In Europe, the use of IE4 grade or higher motors has been mandatory since July 2023, and Korea is expected to enact similar legislation with the goal of announcing an enforcement ordinance next year.

LS Electric anticipates that the market for IE5 grade motors will expand, and plans to further grow its energy efficiency system business by linking ultra-high efficiency motors with its core automation solutions. In environments that require both precise control and high efficiency, using ultra-high efficiency motors in conjunction with inverters can achieve an average energy savings of 37%. Based on this, LS Electric intends to aggressively target the 'high-end motor' market with package solutions that combine motors and inverters.

IE5 grade ultra-high efficiency motor launched by LS Electric. LS Electric

The global industrial motor market is estimated to be worth $18.4 billion (about 25 trillion won) this year, and is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 3.9% through 2035.

An LS Electric representative stated, "By adding ultra-high efficiency motors to our world-class automation products, we now offer a full lineup of energy efficiency solutions. We aim to secure a clear leadership position in the energy management business by expanding our smart energy platform business."

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