In South Korea, LG Chem is entering the global market with eco-friendly raw materials derived from vegetable oils. The company announced on the 13th that it will commence the production of bio-acrylic acid in the second quarter of this year. Production capacity shall ramp up to 100 metric tons (MT) of prototype annually.
Bio-acrylic acid can be applied to various materials, including cosmetic ingredients that directly contact the skin, super absorbent polymers (SAP) for diapers, adhesives for electronics and vehicles, coating materials, and eco-friendly paints. Although attempts to develop bio-acrylic acid technology have been made worldwide, none have reached commercialization until now.
LG Chem’s bio-acrylic acid is made from 3-Hydroxypropionic acid (3HP), produced by microbial fermentation of plant-based raw materials. The product retains the same molecular structure and properties as conventional acrylic acid while being entirely plant-based. LG Chem developed its 3HP strain and fermentation technology in-house, earning the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Biobased Product label, confirming it as 100% bio-based last year.
Tags: LG Chem, South Korea, vegetable oil
Category: Fuels
