Korea’s LG Chem to launch bio-based products in June
South Korean petrochemical firm LG Chem will begin production of sustainable materials at its Yosu and Iksan cracker and polymerisation plants in June, after obtaining ISCC-Plus certification on nine products.
The plants will produce polyvinyl chloride, synthetic resin acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), superabsorbent polymer, polycarbonate, glycols, nitrile butadiene latex, high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene and bisphenol A, from bio-naphtha supplied by Finnish biofuels producer Neste under an agreement signed in November. Bio-naphtha is a byproduct of hydrotreated vegetable oil production and is also called renewable diesel. Neste uses used cooking oil and palm oil as raw materials in this production.
The International Sustainability and Carbon Certification (ISCC) awarded ISCC-Plus certification to LG Chem’s Yosu plant on 8 April, which will be valid for one year. The “Plus” certification system audits sustainability in sectors and markets beyond transport biofuels, which are beyond the scope of the EU Renewable Energy Directive.
Replacing fossil-derived raw materials with bio-based input can lower carbon emissions by around 50pc, according to LG Chem, though external specialists are still undertaking life cycle assessments of its specific products.
Petrochemical company president Kug Lae Noh said: “We will continue to expand ISCC Plus-certified products and workplaces to contribute to carbon neutrality and lead the ESG product market”. The company pledged last July to cap carbon emissions at 2019 levels and achieve carbon neutral growth by 2050.