In September 2023, the opening of LG Chem European CS Center in Frankfurt, Germany was announced. (Related Post: CS Center opened in Europe Reinforcing global customer close-up service) A year after that, LG Chem is pleased to share another exciting news that LG Chem opened their North American CS Center in August, 2024. LG Chem CS Center is a customer service-oriented organization which provides various technical solutions, such as product development and quality improvement for client companies and partners. The opening of the CS center marks a step closer to customers, aimed at supporting the technologies they need. Let’s take a closer look at the new LG Chem North American CS Center.

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Opening of Ohio North American CS Center,
Accelerating US Market Expansion

Located in Ohio, USA, LG Chem’s North American CS Center began full-scale customer support operations upon its opening in August 2024. The opening ceremony was attended by key LG Chem executives as well as honored guests, including Frank Seman, the Mayor of Ravenna, Ohio.

The center was built with an investment of approximately $5 million (KRW 70 billion). Construction began in September 2021, resulting in a three-story building with a total floor area of approximately 8,300m². A notable feature of this center is that it houses equipment at a mass-production level, including extrusion and injection molding machines like those at the factories of client companies.

Upon completion of the North American CS Center, LG Chem has secured the opportunity to maximize synergy with their North American ABS compound plant, which began operations in Ohio this past May. This will empower the company to strengthen their aggressive market penetration strategy in the region. Through the provision of tailored solutions and technical support, LG Chem seeks to effectively meet the needs of their North American customers and further solidify their position in the market.  

LG Chem ABS Plant in Ohio!
Expects Synergy with North American CS Center

The aforementioned ABS compound plant is also situated in Ravenna, Ohio, alongside the North American CS Center. Construction of the plant began in 2022, and trial operations commenced in May 2024. In this facility, intermediate products produced in the polymerization process are mixed with other raw materials to make the final ABS products. ABS is a high-performance plastic known for its excellent heat and impact resistance. Its high processability allows for the creation of various shapes and colors, making it a popular material in household appliances, IT devices, and automotive interior and exterior components. These include toys like the well-known ‘LEGO’ blocks, nail tips for nail art, as well as CCTV cameras and keyboards. While the name ‘ABS’ may sound unfamiliar, it is, in fact, a chemical material found close to our daily lives. With the growth of industries such as automotive, construction, and decorative materials, the demand for heat-resistant ABS is on the increase. Plus, did you know that LG Chem is the world’s number one company in ABS market share? In addition to Ohio, LG Chem produces ABS at their plants in Yeosu, South Korea, and Ningbo and Huizhou, China. The North American market accounts for 10% of global ABS demand. Also, despite having a low regional self-sufficiency rate for ABS, companies have strong preferences for locally produced products. Ohio offers excellent logistics and transportation advantages, and it is close to the key customers of LG Chem’s ABS. The state’s favorable geographic conditions make it an ideal location to strengthen LG Chem’s customer support in the North American market.  

Global 4-Point Customer Support System,
Enhancing Local Customer Responsiveness

Through the opening of their new CS Center, LG Chem has established a global four-point CS system which spans Korea (Osan), China (Huadong, Huanan), Europe (Germany), and the U.S. (Ohio), positioning itself to provide more localized support to customers worldwide. The Osan CS Center focuses on technical support for both domestic and international customers, as well as the development of future processing technologies. The Huanan and Huadong Centers aim to enhance technical capabilities of Chinese customers, drive regional economic growth, and recruit top talent. The Frankfurt Center, located in the heart of Europe, offers excellent business conditions with convenient transportation and proximity to customers, creating synergies with LG Chem’s European sales subsidiary. Lastly, the Ohio Center will strengthen the company’s market competitiveness and improve local customer responsiveness in the North American market.

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So far, we’ve introduced LG Chem’s new North American CS Center in Ohio. With the completion of their global four-point customer support system, LG Chem is now able to respond more closely to the needs of customers in each region and plans to reinforce their position in the North American market. Going forward, LG Chem will continue to provide tailored technical solutions, pursuing sustainable innovation and growth while cooperating closely with customers worldwide.