LG Chem to Manufacture 'Eco-Friendly' Electric Vehicle Charging Cables

LG Chem is targeting the electric vehicle charging cable market with high-value-added PVC (polyvinyl chloride) materials. The plan is to create safer electric vehicle charging cables by using materials with superior heat resistance and durability compared to conventional PVC. The cables produced this way are environmentally friendly due to their ease of recycling.

On the 22nd, LG Chem announced that it signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EL Electric, a company specializing in electric vehicle chargers and power cables, to develop eco-friendly flame-retardant cables for electric vehicles. Through this agreement, LG Chem will supply ultra-high polymerization PVC to EL Electric and officially enter the electric vehicle charging cable market. PVC is a representative general-purpose plastic used in daily life for power cables, building materials, and windows. LG Chem has developed ultra-high polymerization PVC that maximizes the number of molecules bonded through proprietary technology.

Handongyeop, Head of PVC and Plasticizer Division at LG Chem (from left), Park Jeonggeun, CEO of EL Electric, and An Jongho, CEO of Samsung FC, are posing for a commemorative photo after signing a business agreement. (Photo by LG Chem)

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LG Chem’s ultra-high polymerization PVC will be applied to EL Electric’s electric vehicle rapid and high-speed charging cables after undergoing the compounding process at its partner Samsung FC. The compounding process refers to the 'mixing' process that converts powder PVC into granulated raw material by adding stabilizers and other methods. LG Chem and EL Electric are conducting the US certification standard flame-retardant test 'UL 2263' with the goal of launching domestic products in March this year. The two companies plan to comprehensively discuss business cooperation necessary to target global customers and markets.

The electric vehicle charging cables using ultra-high polymerization PVC have high heat resistance and flame retardancy, effectively preventing fire spread in case of fire. Additionally, the material is easily bendable, expected to improve flexibility by about 30% compared to existing cables. Furthermore, it is easier to recycle than conventional materials, allowing reprocessing and reuse when disposing of charging cables, making it environmentally friendly. Han Dong-yeop, head of LG Chem’s PVC and plasticizer business division, said, "We are very pleased to be able to apply an innovative PVC solution that combines eco-friendliness and functionality to electric vehicle charging infrastructure."

Last year, LG Chem converted part of the PVC production line at its Yeosu plant into an ultra-high polymerization PVC production line to foster high-value-added products. According to market research firms, the global electric vehicle charging infrastructure market is expected to grow at an average annual rate of 32%, from $44.1 billion in 2022 to $418.2 billion in 2030.

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