LG Chem develops eco-friendly flame-retardant material

South Korea's LG Chem Ltd. developed an eco-friendly, flame-retardant material.

The company announced on Monday that its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free flame-retardant polycarbonate/acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (PC/ABS) material, made from recycled plastic, received V-0 grade certification in the UL94 test, the standard for flame resistance.

The V-0 grade represents the highest level of flame-retardant performance in the industry, requiring the material to self-extinguish within 10 seconds when ignited vertically.

PFAS, commonly used in cookware, clothing, and cosmetics, are known for their resistance to heat and insolubility in water and oil.

However, due to their environmental persistence and potential ecological impact, demand for PFAS-free materials is increasing, particularly in Europe and the US.

LG Chem achieved enhanced heat resistance in the material without PFAS by developing a special flame-retardant process.

Additionally, carbon emissions are significantly reduced by incorporating post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic.

The material, made with more than 50% recycled plastic, results in a 46% reduction in carbon emissions compared to conventional PC/ABS materials.

The PFAS-free flame-retardant material is expected to be widely used in electronics, chargers, interior design, construction, and other fields.

In addition to PC/ABS, LG Chem is developing various PFAS-free flame-retardant materials, such as PC and PBT, which have received UL certification.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com