LG Chem and CJ CheilJedang join forces to commercialize bio-nylon

LG Chem announced that on the 14th, it had signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with CJ CheilJedang at the Yeouido LG Twin Towers for the establishment of a joint venture dedicated to the production and sales of eco-friendly nylon based on bio-materials (PMDA).

PMDA (Pentamethylenediamine): A raw material for bio-nylon produced by fermenting corn, sugarcane, and other crops.

As leading companies in the food/bio and chemical sectors, both parties plan to secure stable business competitiveness by being the first domestic companies to produce everything from raw materials to products for bio-nylon through this agreement.

CJ CheilJedang will produce PMDA using microbial precision fermentation technology and joint development technology between the two companies, while LG Chem will polymerize it to produce and sell bio-nylon.

This bio-nylon, produced from bio-based materials such as corn and sugarcane, boasts the same heat resistance and durability as petroleum-based nylon, making it suitable for use in a wide range of fields including textiles, automobiles, electronic devices, and more. Notably, its production using biobased raw materials significantly reduces carbon emissions.

The recent implementation of global environmental policies and the mandatory disclosure of carbon emissions. Scope 3 in the United States and Europe are expected to continuously drive the demand for eco-friendly products. Furthermore, the expansion of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluations, which measure carbon emissions at each stage of product production in textiles, automobiles, and consumer electronics, is leading to a steady increase in customers seeking bio-nylon.

The global market demand for bio-nylon is expected to record a high annual growth rate of 29 %, expanding from 400,000 tonnes in 2023 to 1.4 million tons by 2028.

LG Chem CEO, Hak Cheol Shin, stated, “This agreement is significant in that it represents cooperation between leading companies in their respective fields towards the common goal of Net Zero.” He added, “LG Chem will continue to advance its plastics business using eco-friendly, low-carbon materials, thereby establishing itself as a leading company with pioneering leadership in the area of carbon reduction”. AT

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