LG Chem, KIST developed technology to make plastic with air

LG Chem researchers look at an electrochemical reactor that uses the carbon dioxide in the air as a raw material in the production of plastics. [LG CHEM]

LG Chem and the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) jointly developed a technology that can use carbon dioxide in the air as a raw material in the production of plastics.

The Korean chemical company said Monday it succeeded in developing an electrochemical reactor that changes carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide. The developed reactor runs on electricity.

Carbon monoxide is a material essential to producing plastics and various alternative fuels such as synthesis gas and methanol.

LG Chem said the reactor is necessary for "achieving carbon neutrality" as it will be helpful in "reducing greenhouse gases" and can "utilize carbon dioxide in the air as a raw material."

LG and KIST plan to expand the reactor to more than 10 times its current size. They will continue research on the reactor to eventually develop a technology that can produce ethylene by using the carbon dioxide in the air. Ethylene is the raw material for making petrochemical products.

The reactor is one of the 10 projects being run by LG and KIST after the two parties signed an agreement to jointly conduct research related to carbon neutrality and hydrogen energy in April last year.

BY SARAH CHEA [chea.sarah@joongang.co.kr]