LG Chem Accelerates Commercial Production of 100% Plant-Based Acrylic Acid

LG Chem is making inroads into the global market using eco-friendly raw materials derived from plant oils. The company announced that it will begin production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. Production capacity will be increased to 100 metric tons (MT) per year of prototypes.

Bio-acrylic acid can be applied to a variety of materials, including cosmetic ingredients that come into direct contact with the skin, super absorbent polymers (SAP) for diapers, adhesives for electronics and automobiles, coating materials, and eco-friendly paints. Although attempts to develop bio-acrylic acid technology have been made around the world, commercialization has not been achieved to date.

LG Chem's bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), which is produced by microbial fermentation of plant raw materials. The product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid while being completely plant-based.

LG Chem developed the 3HP strain and fermentation technology in-house and received the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label last year, confirming that it is a 100% biobased product.

Starting with prototype production, the company plans to actively promote the product to sustainable companies in North America and Europe. The cosmetics industry is expected to be a key market for bio-acrylic acid, as it increasingly requires plant-based and natural ingredients without compromising on functionality.

LG Chem plans to operate a customized bio-acrylic acid production system to respond immediately to customer needs and consider expanding production facilities when market demand increases.

Song Byung-Keun, senior vice president and head of the acrylic acid/SAP business unit at LG Chem, said, "We want bio-acrylic acid to be an innovative product that meets the sustainability needs of our customers and the market. We will continue to lead the development of environmentally friendly technologies."