LG Chem and GS Caltex Accelerate the Commercialization of the World's First 3HP Eco-friendly Bio Material

On October 12,  LG Chem and GS Caltex signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further strengthen their joint development of eco-friendly bio-based materials technology, with a focus on 3HP (hydroxypropionic acid), an important raw material for environmentally friendly biodegradable polymers.

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The MOU is based on a 2021 Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between the two companies. The two sides built a 3HP test plant at GS Caltex's Yeosu plant in July 2021. The recently completed plant lays the foundation for prototype production, which is expected to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

With the MOU, both companies have agreed to jointly evaluate the 3HP project model and overall businesses, intending to engage in comprehensive discussions encompassing a broad spectrum of cooperation areas, such as exploring the potential establishment of a joint venture and examining biodegradable material projects, considering the varied conditions of the bioplastic market.

LG Chem CEO, Hak Cheol Shin, commented, "We will persist in leading eco-friendly technologies, enhancing our commitment to achieving a 2050 Net Zero by fortifying our partnership for a sustainable future in the white bio sector."

GS Caltex CEO, Heo Se-hong, remarked, "Building upon our cooperation in developing eco-friendly materials, we aim not only to strengthen ESG capacities by contributing to a circular economy and reducing carbon emissions but also to forge economic value through the commercialization of high value-added products."

LG Chem, holding the world's preeminent proprietary 3HP fermenting technologies, successfully developed PLH (Poly Lactate 3-Hydroxypropionate) in October of 2020, a new biodegradable material with mechanical properties equating to synthetic resins.

Moreover, the company is focused on realizing its decarbonization strategy across its supply chain, with initiatives such as converting to 100% renewable energy, aiming to achieve a 2050 Net Zero, implementing LCA (Life Cycle Assessment), managing resource procurement policies responsibly, and pioneering technological development in carbon dioxide conversion.

ABOUT 3PH:

3HP is one of 12 platform compounds announced by the U.S. Department of Energy. But industrialization is still difficult. 3HP is an isomer of lactic acid. Although it has a simple structure, it has two functional groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl) in its molecular structure, so the chemical properties of 3 hydroxypropionic acid are more active. The production of 3HP by traditional chemical synthesis method does not meet the requirements of green environmental protection and sustainable development, and the production by green biotechnology method has a broad prospect. With the development of synthetic biology, teams around the world are realizing the research and development of 3HP and high yield and mass production experiments.