LG CHEM announced on the 22nd that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with EL Electric, a company specializing in electric vehicle chargers and power cables, to develop environmentally friendly flame-retardant cables for electric vehicles. With this agreement, LG CHEM will supply ultra-high molecular weight PVC to EL Electric and will officially enter the electric vehicle charging cable market.
PVC is a representative general-purpose plastic used in everyday life, primarily serving as a material for construction materials, power cables, flooring, and windows. Polymerization refers to the reaction that combines molecules to create large polymers, and ultra-high molecular weight PVC is characterized by its exceptional heat resistance and durability, maximizing the number of molecules that bond compared to existing materials.
LG CHEM developed ultra-high molecular weight PVC using its own technology. This material will be applied to EL Electric's electric vehicle fast and high-speed charging cables after undergoing a compounding process by its partner, Samsung F.C., which involves mixing and adding stabilizers to convert powdered PVC into granular raw materials.
Electric vehicle charging cables made with ultra-high molecular weight PVC have high heat resistance and flame retardancy, effectively preventing fire spread in the event of a fire. Additionally, they are easier to recycle compared to existing options, allowing for reprocessing and reuse when discarding charging cables, making them environmentally friendly. Last year, LG CHEM converted part of its PVC production facilities at the Yeosu plant to ultra-high molecular weight PVC equipment to foster high value-added products.
LG CHEM and EL Electric are currently conducting UL 2263, a flammability test for U.S. certification standards, aiming for domestic product release in March this year, and plan to comprehensively discuss various business collaborations necessary for targeting global customers and markets.