South Korea’s LG Electronics Inc. is exploring options with a local steelmaker to incorporate environmentally friendly color-coated steel sheets made from recycled plastic into its products, in a step towards more eco-friendly home appliances.

According to sources on Monday, LG Electronics is considering the introduction of low-carbon home appliances using color-coated steel made from recycled materials in collaboration with Dongkuk CM Co. Ltd., Dongkuk Steel Group’s cold-rolled steel unit. Dongkuk CM recently succeeded in developing eco-friendly color-coated steel sheets using recycled plastic, the first achievement of this kind globally.

The steelmaker’s latest innovation not only succeeds in using recycled plastic in the production process but also marks the technology’s first application in electric furnace hot-rolled steel, drawing significant attention from the industry as an environmentally friendly material. Color-coated steel produced from electric furnaces can reduce carbon emissions to a quarter of the levels generated by blast furnace hot-rolled steel. Producing one ton of this product could recycle around 100 used 500ml PET bottles, contributing to low-carbon initiatives.

According to industry insiders, LG Electronics and Dongkuk CM are currently testing the application of these eco-friendly steel sheets in appliances including washing machines, dryers, and refrigerators. After conducting inspections on initial production volumes, the duo will consider expanding the scope of the material’s application starting in 2024. Insiders said there are discussions about potentially incorporating the steel sheets into the top plates of some dryer and washing machine models.

LG Electronics has been actively working to release products with eco-friendly exteriors among its major home appliances. The company introduced the ‘LG OLED evo,’ the world’s first wireless OLED TV, in 2023, which uses composite fiber materials and metals instead of plastic in its construction.

By Cho Yun-hee, Oh Chan-jong, and Minu Kim

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