[Edaily Reporter SOYEON KIM ] LGELECTRONICS announced on the 23rd that it is launching a production line for glass powder-based functional materials at its Haiphong plant in Vietnam. The company is stepping up its efforts in the functional materials business—which it is cultivating as a core business-to-business (B2B) segment—and strengthening its global production infrastructure.

LGELECTRONICS recently began production of “LG PuroTec™,” a glass powder-based functional material, and “Easy-Clean” enamel at its Haiphong production facility in Vietnam. The Haiphong production line was built in a dedicated space covering 3,200 square meters (approximately 970 pyeong) and has an annual production capacity of approximately 2,000 metric tons.

Currently, LGELECTRONICS also operates a production line for functional materials with an annual capacity of 4,500 metric tons at LG Smart Park in Changwon, South Gyeongsang Province. With the launch of this Haiphong production line, the company has secured a total annual production capacity of 6,500 metric tons. The Haiphong production line serves as a key manufacturing base to meet demand in North America, Europe, China, as well as in India and Southeast Asia—the Global South markets.

LG Corp. Purotech is a functional material with antibacterial and antifungal properties that, when added in small quantities to materials such as plastics, paints, and rubber, inhibits contamination caused by microorganisms. LG Corp. Purotech can be applied not only to home appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, and air conditioners but also to a wide range of fields, including construction materials, hygiene products, food packaging, and medical equipment.

EasyClean Enamel is a functional coating material that applies a thin layer of vitreous ceramic to metal surfaces. When applied to the interiors of cooking appliances such as microwaves and ovens, it allows for easy removal of food residue and grease. It is used as a core material in kitchen appliances.

LGELECTRONICS has expanded its production lines to Vietnam in response to the rapidly growing demand for functional materials across the industry. According to global market research firm Data Bridge Market Research, the global antimicrobial market is projected to grow from approximately $3.66 billion in 2024 to about $7.29 billion in 2032.

In particular, LGELECTRONICS has automated 80% of the entire production process at its Haiphong, Vietnam, production line. By automating the entire process—from raw material feeding to melting, cooling, grinding, packaging, and shipping—the company has ensured a stable supply and consistent quality.

Last year, LGELECTRONICS completed the regulatory registration of antimicrobial agents required for entry into the U.S. and European markets and demonstrated product safety through hazard assessments. Having conducted research on glass powder since 1996, the company has secured approximately 420 patents related to functional materials to date.

Building on its accumulated technological expertise, the company is developing customized solutions that tailor ingredients and characteristics to customer needs, while continuously expanding the range of applications. A prime example is “Mineral Wash,” which enables laundry without surfactants. The core technology involves controlling the dissolution rate of glass powder and utilizing mineral components to separate contaminants in water, thereby achieving effective cleaning even without detergent. There is also anticipation that this could create a new category: the “detergent-free washing machine.”

In fact, LGELECTRONICS’ sales in the functional materials business have more than doubled every year since 2023, when the business was fully launched. Kim Young-seok, Head of the HS Functional Materials Business Division at LGELECTRONICS, said, “Based on our production infrastructure and quality competitiveness, we will continue to expand business opportunities by providing differentiated material solutions that meet customer needs.”