LG Chem decided to focus on cultivating high-value electronic materials as a core pillar of future growth in step with the spread of AI (artificial intelligence) semiconductors, Autonomous Driving, and next-generation displays.
LG Chem said on the 30th that it plans to expand sales in its electronic materials business, currently worth 1 trillion won, to 2 trillion won by 2030. LG Chem noted that because the electronic materials field has high technological entry barriers, long-term partnerships with customers are ensured, and it will strengthen market dominance by pursuing a Winning Tech strategy centered on core competitive-edge technologies.
LG Chem selected semiconductors, vehicle electronics, and next-generation displays as core businesses in electronic materials. Accordingly, it recently integrated and established related preemptive research and development organizations under its Advanced Materials Research Center. This is because global demand for high-performance electronic materials is surging rapidly due to the spread of AI infrastructure, the acceleration of vehicle electrification, and the growth of new devices.
The preemptive research and development organization numbers in the hundreds. LG Chem embedded its core capabilities in precise material design, synthesis, and process technology accumulated over time into the preemptive R&D organization. It plans to secure material technologies in related fields ahead of rivals and to intensively foster areas with high commercialization potential.
LG Chem is expanding from memory materials to AI and non-memory packaging materials based on its accumulated technology. LG Chem has secured technological reliability in existing packaging areas such as CCL (copper clad laminate) and DAF (die attach film). Recently, it completed development of PID (photo imageable dielectric), which enables fine circuit connections, and is collaborating with a global top-tier semiconductor company.
It is expanding its business continuously by developing process material technologies such as strippers, which remove residual photoresist used for circuit pattern formation. In addition, it is carrying out preemptive development of core process areas in preparation for the glass substrate market, which is drawing attention as a next-generation semiconductor packaging solution.
The market for materials for vehicle electronic components, which is growing rapidly with electric vehicles and Autonomous Driving, is also a target. It provides solutions across various vehicle electronics components—including motors, Power Semiconductor, communications, and sensors—starting with a thermal adhesive that ensures the stability of batteries and energy storage system (ESS) platforms. It is also introducing SGF (switchable glazing film), which can be applied to automotive glass such as sunroofs to control the transmission of light and heat, and photoresist polymer films needed to implement holographic windshield displays (HWD).
Kim Dong-chun, president of LG Chem, said, "We have continued to take on challenges and make leaps amid changing business conditions by shifting our portfolio from petrochemicals to advanced materials faster than anyone else," and added, "With intense focus on future advanced materials, we will deploy all our capabilities and technologies to reinvent ourselves as a technology-driven, high-value advanced materials company."