LG

■ KIST-LG Chem holds carbon neutrality technology transfer signing ceremony and joint research lab founding ceremony
 □ Carbon neutrality innovation technology transfer agreement such as for direct ethylene production through carbon dioxide electrochemical conversion, eco-friendly materials production using biomass/by-product gas, etc.
 □ Review expanding the scope of cooperation such as hydrogen production and utilization, low carbon innovative process, etc. based on R&D strategies toward becoming a sustainable leading science company, while operating personnel exchange programs
 
 
LG Chem (Chief Executive Officer Hak Cheol Shin) and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST; President YOON, Seok-Jin) are conducting joint R&D for commercialization of carbon neutrality technologies in full swing.
 
The two institutes announced that it held the technology transfer signing ceremony and joint research lab signboard hanging ceremony for the development of carbon neutrality technologies at the main building of KIST in Seoul on the 26th.
 
LG Chem and KIST signed an MOU for join R&D on technologies related to carbon neutrality, hydrogen energy, etc. in April of last year and drew up 10 prospective carbon neutrality technology projects. Among them, they decided to launch a joint research lab for the transfer of ‘electrochemical production technology of ethylene using CO₂ (carbon dioxide)’ and ‘biological production technology of organic acid using biomass/by-product gas.’
 
‘Electrochemical production technology of ethylene using CO₂ (carbon dioxide)’ refers to the technology of utilizing electricity to convert carbon dioxide directly into ethylene (C₂H₄) used as raw materials for various petrochemical products such as PVC. Once this technology is commercialized, it will be possible to not only use carbon dioxide to contribute to the realization of carbon neutrality, but also be able to directly produce ethylene that has high economic value, and therefore, it is expected that it will have huge ripple effects on the market.
 
‘Biological production technology of organic acid using biomass/by-product gas’ is a platform technology proprietarily discovered by KIST, and it has not yet been commercialized anywhere in the world. This technology uses biomass such as fermentable sugar and by-product gas generated from industrial processes to allow production of raw materials essential for the production of eco-friendly materials. In addition to sugar canes or corn, raw materials can be expanded to tree wastes, etc. generated from the forestry industry, and thereby serve as a solution for protecting food resources and also reducing carbon emissions.
 
LG Chem is actively reviewing plans to expand the scope of cooperation with KIST to include hydrogen production and utilization, low carbon innovative processes, etc. based on its R&D strategy to develop into a science company that leads sustainability.
 
In addition, the two institutes are operating several different personnel exchange programs for the sake of sustainable research cooperation. LG Chem operates a scholarship program for KIST research students linked to employment, and KIST kicked off a doctorate’s degree dispatch program for LG Chem researchers.
 
KIST President YOON, Seok-jin commented, “The existence of new technologies will be the core factor that will determine the successful realization of 2050 carbon neutrality.”
 
He added, “This can be interpreted as how the platform technologies currently being developed by the national research institutes will be commercialized. From this perspective, the research cooperation of KIST and LG Chem is very meaningful as it will be a great role model for the early commercialization of platform technologies.”
 
LG Chem CTO and Executive Vice President Yu Jiyung stated, “We expect to be able to accelerate procurement and cooperation of platform technologies through the cooperation with KIST that possesses the nation’s best carbon neutrality technologies.”
 
He added, “LG Chem will continue to strengthen its innovative technologies and R&D capacities related to carbon neutrality as a science company that leads sustainability.”