Welcome back to LETZero Encyclopedia, an introductory series to LG Chem’s eco-friendly products brand, LETZero. The last Encyclopedia dealt with Bio-Circular Balanced NPG made of renewable raw materials. Today, the topic will be PCR PC obtained through recycling of waste plastics, and its usage.

PCR PC, the revival of waste plastics

Let’s take a look at PC first. PC is a type of engineering plastic that is transparent like glass, yet features 150 times the strength of tempered glass. Stronger and lighter than commodity plastics, PC is considered more as an industrial material. Its impact-resistance is enough to replace metal, and it also withstands heat over 120℃. What’s more, you can add color coating to PC with ease, facilitating application of diverse exterior colors onto your products.

The question is, what is PCR PC? PCR is short for ‘Post Consumer Recycled,’ which suggests the recycling of products used and discarded by end-consumers. PCR products are attained through a mechanical recycling process; select, collect, crush, wash, and melt waste plastics, and finally process them into a form of pellets (raw material for plastics). These pellets, made from renewable raw materials, are blended with virgin raw materials (pure raw materials) by certain proportions to create the final product.

Since PCR Plastic has its basis on collecting and recycling waste plastics, it requires much less energy than virgin plastics during production. Also, by dropping the amount of energy use, you can cut down a significant amount of carbon emission throughout the process. Not to mention the diminution of waste, as you recycle used plastics discarded by consumers. So it’s a three-plus for the environment!

In 2009, LG Chem successfully kicked off the commercialization of PCR PC. Now, the company is producing PCR PC with maximum 90% of recycled PC content and physical properties equivalent to general PC. It is known that blending 50% of PCR PC can reduce about 40% of carbon emissions compared to conventional products. That is 20 million kg of carbon dioxide per 10 thousand tons, which matches the annual amount of carbon emitted from 14 thousand automobiles.

Applications of PCR PC

PCR PC can go into every place where conventional PC is used. PC, with its impact-resistance, heat-resistance, transparency, and easy processability, is applied to laptops, A.I. speakers, IT appliances, chargers, and other electronics. Also, it is an industrial material that can replace metal, so it is widely used in automotive interior/exterior, building exterior materials, etc.

In October 2022, LG Chem signed an MOU with Korean-based KT, KAON Media, Marusys, KT Skylife, and HCN to manufacture eco-friendly Set Top boxes using PCR PC. Including the Set Top boxes, the KT Group produces 300 tons of plastic waste each year. Through this MOU, the companies intend to establish a virtuous cycle of resources by recycling the waste plastics to reproduce eco-friendly Set Top boxes.

That was an introduction to PCR PC. Next time, the LETZero Encyclopedia will return with the story of PCR PP.