How has your daily life changed after the COVID-19 pandemic? Wearing masks, online classes, remote work, and various other changes have become part of our new normal. In this era of heightened personal hygiene and preventive measures, LG Chem is preparing for the post-COVID-19 era with “Sustainable Antibacterial ABS,” a plastic that maintains a 99.99% antibacterial property. The following story highlights LG Chem’s dedication to enhancing antibacterial durability as part of their readiness for the post-COVID-19 era.

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In the era of hygiene and sanitation, what is the ‘real’ plastic that consumers want?

Throughout the pandemic, we have seen a surge in purchases of items labeled as ‘antibacterial’ such as masks and hand sanitizers, as personal hygiene and sanitation became paramount.

The reason behind most people’s preference for antimicrobial products is simple: the power conveyed by the word ‘antibacterial’. It carries a strong belief in preventing the growth of bacteria. We trust that ‘antibacterial products will be cleaner’ or ‘we can use them with peace of mind.’ However, unfortunately, conventional antibacterial products fall short of our expectations.

Typically, antibacterial products are made by mixing antibacterial agents into pelletized plastic raw materials. In this case, the antibacterial agents are not evenly distributed on the surface of the plastic, resulting in uneven antibacterial properties. Moreover, the long-lasting antibacterial effect is significantly compromised. Due to the high concentration of antibacterial agents, the surface of these products often becomes rough and uneven. As a result, they are primarily used for internal components rather than visible external parts. LG Chem has recognized the limitations of conventional antibacterial ABS and has been dedicated to researching and developing an antibacterial ABS that can be widely used for external components while earning customer trust.

Overcoming the Limitations of Antibacterial Products
with Global Market Leadership in Technology

Even for LG Chem, the global leader in ABS market share, overcoming the limitations of antibacterial ABS was no easy task. The key characteristics of antibacterial materials are intertwined in a trade-off relationship, making it challenging. Typically, when developing antibacterial materials, LG Chem considers antibacterial efficacy, durability, chemical resistance, and color (preventing discoloration/staining) as important factors. However, when one characteristic is enhanced, other characteristics tend to weaken easily.

For instance, let’s consider the scenario where we increase the number of antibacterial agents to strengthen the long-lasting antibacterial effect. Antibacterial agents, such as silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu), are released from the ABS surface to the external environment. By increasing the number of antibacterial agents, more metals are released, resulting in improved long-lasting antibacterial properties. However, proportional to this increase, the quality of appearance and resistance to discoloration deteriorates.

To overcome these limitations, LG Chem applied special polymers that enhance the affinity between antibacterial metals and ABS, effectively controlling the release rate of antibacterial metals. As a result, LG Chem has successfully developed long-lasting antibacterial ABS that maintains high antibacterial efficacy without discoloration and with excellent chemical resistance. Additionally, LG Chem minimized the number of antibacterial agents, reducing potential harm to human health.

The achievement of enhancing long-lasting antibacterial properties while minimizing the number of antibacterial agents was made possible by LG Chem’s accumulated technical expertise. Starting from the production stage, LG Chem identified the optimal number of antibacterial agents, ensuring even distribution through compounding technology, and utilized special recipes and technical capabilities to create long-lasting antibacterial ABS. As a result, LG Chem has successfully developed long-lasting antibacterial ABS that consistently maintains 99.99% antibacterial efficacy, with excellent surface quality and no concerns about discoloration.

The developed antibacterial ABS by LG Chem possesses a 99.99% long-lasting antibacterial property and exhibits over twice the improved chemical resistance compared to conventional antibacterial ABS. Moreover, it has undergone global standard tests for mold resistance (ASTM D 21, ISO 856 B), resulting in the conclusion that mold cannot survive on the surface of the long-lasting antibacterial ABS. It has also received certification for being safe for human contact according to global standards for non-toxicity. Furthermore, LG Chem’s long-lasting antibacterial ABS remains free from discoloration even under high temperature and humidity conditions, and it exhibits minimal color change caused by light exposure. Additionally, it enables the realization of various colors, making it widely applicable in household appliances such as refrigerators and air purifiers.

The New Everyday with Antibacterial ABS

LG Chem’s developed long-lasting antibacterial ABS is already being used in various products in our daily lives. Unlike the conventional antibacterial ABS that was primarily used for internal components, LG Chem’s antibacterial ABS is now applied to kitchen appliances such as refrigerator handles and dishwasher exteriors, as well as medical devices that require reduced bacterial contamination.

The vague belief associated with the term “antibacterial” is gradually becoming a reality with LG Chem’s antibacterial ABS. Experts predict that the global antibacterial ABS market will continue to grow as consumer hygiene awareness increases following the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with this trend, LG Chem plans to apply antibacterial ABS to a wide range of home appliances in the future. Beyond kitchen appliance handles and exteriors, the long-lasting antibacterial ABS can be used in various other areas such as garment care devices, automotive interiors, and vacuum cleaners. Let’s imagine a cleaner and safer daily life together with the benefits that long-lasting antibacterial ABS brings.

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LG Chem has once again demonstrated their leadership in the global ABS market by developing long-lasting antibacterial ABS that can be used for both internal and external components. LG Chem identifies the needs of people and solves them with the power of science and accumulated technological expertise. Just as they have developed long-lasting antibacterial ABS through technological innovation, LG Chem will continue to listen attentively to consumers’ stories and strive for a sustainable future.