LG Chem Develops Advanced Plastic Product to Prevent Thermal Runaway in EV Batteries

LG Chem (KRX: 051910) today announced that it has developed a new plastic product for battery application that is capable of preventing the spread of flame in batteries, delivering the longest fire-resistance performance in the world.

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LG Chem’s flame-retardant engineering plastic product is able to prevent the spread of flames, thanks to the company’s proprietary technology and manufacturing methods. The new advanced flame barrier product created by LG Chem is a highly functional engineering plastic product made from various composites including polyphenylene oxide (PPO) and polyamide (PA) resin.

“We are proud to present this new product, a significant milestone for us after more than 10 years of dedicated research to deliver innovation for our customers,” said Steven Kim, Senior Vice President of Engineering Materials Division at LG Chem. “LG Chem continues to lead the rapidly evolving e-Mobility market, and we will continue to lead innovations through consistent R&D and investments in manufacturing based on our world-class chemical compounding technology.”

When used in battery components, the new product is resistant to flames for a longer period of time due to its superior properties. It also features excellent dimensional stability and maintains its shape under changing temperature conditions. During LG Chem’s testing, the product was able to prevent the spread of flames caused by thermal propagation for over ten minutes at 1,000°C, 10 times longer than general plastics.

Thermal runaway is the leading cause of EV battery fires, where various stressors can cause heat to build up within a battery cell. When a battery cell exceeds its temperature threshold, fire can occur due to a short circuit triggered by factors such as overcharging and over-discharging. The resulting fire is difficult to extinguish as lithium reacts violently with water. Application of LG Chem’s new engineering plastic product to battery components would benefit drivers and passengers, giving them more time to evacuate a vehicle in case of a damaged and overheating battery.

Commercial production of the new product is on target to begin in 2023 aligned with customers’ demands and schedules. The company is currently in the process of obtaining patents in Korea, the United States and selected European markets.

About LG Chem

LG Chem is a leading global chemical company with a diversified business portfolio in the key areas of petrochemicals, advanced materials, and life sciences. The company manufactures a wide range of products from high value-added petrochemicals to renewable plastics, specializing in cutting-edge electronic and battery materials, as well as drugs and vaccines to deliver differentiated solutions for its customers. LG Chem is committed to reaching carbon-neutral growth by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050 by managing the impacts of climate change and making positive contributions to society through renewable energy and responsible supply chains. Headquartered in Seoul, Korea, LG Chem has multiple operation sites worldwide and generated KRW 42.7 trillion (USD 37.3 billion) in sales in 2021. For more information, please visit www.lgchem.com.

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Contact information

LG Chem, Ltd.
Sangkyu Choi, Manager
+82-2-3773-7869
choisg@lgchem.com