Lotte Chemical is broadening its collaboration with Hyundai Motor and Kia for the development of eco-friendly plastic materials.
Lotte Chemical noted on the 9th that it participated in the 'Eco-friendly Materials and Vehicle Exhibition' held at Hyundai Motor's Namyang Research Center on Nov. 13 last year, proposing the new application of eco-friendly PMMA (Polymethyl methacrylate) material for the 'Rear Lamp Lens' component of Kia's EV3 study car.
The newly introduced eco-friendly PMMA from Lotte Chemical employs a 'depolymerization' method that chemically breaks down plastics and then remelts them. This offers the advantage of achieving quality equivalent to that of conventional plastics.
Since 2022, Lotte Chemical has been supplying various materials such as eco-friendly PP/Talc (Polypropylene/Talc) and eco-friendly PC/ABS (Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) for automotive interior and exterior parts through collaborative development with Hyundai Motor and Kia.
In addition, Lotte Chemical has recently developed high-content eco-friendly PC/PET (Polycarbonate/Polyethylene terephthalate) material with a 70% recycling rate in collaboration with Hyundai Motor, Kia, and Seoyon E-Hwa to respond to the strengthened European Union (EU) regulations on vehicle recyclability and end-of-life vehicle (ELV) management.
This material has a carbon reduction effect of over 65% compared to new plastics and possesses excellent physical properties suitable for automotive interior materials. The color can also be changed freely, and its application for upcoming new car models is under consideration.
A representative from Lotte Chemical stated, "Based on the technology and know-how accumulated in specialty materials so far, we will develop and provide various eco-friendly solutions that can be applied to future mobility."