LG Chem–Korea University
Focusing on securing eco-friendly core technologies
LG Chem announced that on February 17 it signed a “Memorandum of Understanding for Joint R&D on Eco-Friendly Materials” at the main building of Korea University in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, with Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol and President Chung Jin-taik in attendance.
Under this agreement, the two parties will pursue joint research on △biodegradable plastic materials △high-efficiency waste-plastic recycling processes △next-generation battery materials, and more. In particular, they plan to focus on securing eco-friendly core technologies, such as plastic materials made from natural substances that biodegrade naturally in the ocean.
To this end, they will establish a joint research center, the “LG Chem–Korea University Eco-Friendly Materials Industry-Academia Cooperation Center,” under the College of Engineering, and will also carry out customized educational support programs to cultivate talent—including R&D exchange meetings, mutual advisory activities, and the selection of industry-academia scholarship students.
LG Chem is fostering new growth engines such as △eco-friendly materials △battery materials △bio by investing 10 trillion won by 2025, and expects that this collaboration with Korea University will further accelerate the securing and commercialization of related core technologies.
Meanwhile, in this agreement Korea University designated LG Chem as a “KU Crimson Company,” one of the university’s family companies. Companies designated as KU Crimson Companies receive the highest level of close-knit industry-academia cooperation support from Korea University.
Korea University President Chung Jin-taik said, “This is a meaningful day, in which we not only concluded a research cooperation agreement between the two institutions but also designated LG Chem as a KU Crimson Company, part of the Korea University family,” adding, “I hope that, using the newly established industry-academia cooperation center as a base, this will become an opportunity for both institutions to continue enterprising exchanges and grow together in mutual prosperity.”
LG Chem Vice Chairman Shin Hak-cheol said, “It is highly significant that a company and a university have joined forces in developing eco-friendly technologies for a better future for our society,” and added, “With the goal of developing sustainable technologies that innovate customers’ lives, LG Chem will spare no support for research on eco-friendly materials and the cultivation of talent.”