There is a wave of change in the packaging market as new materials are introduced. At the center of this transformation is LG Chem’s proprietary development of Biaxially Oriented Polyethylene (BOPE) film. With greater strength and transparency than traditional Polyethylene (PE), BOPE is gaining attention as a single-material packaging solution that enables easy recycling. In today’s FOCUS ON, we take a closer look at the eco-friendly packaging material, BOPE.

An Innovative Recyclable Packaging Material, BOPE

BOPE is a world-class packaging material developed by LG Chem in order to address the recycling challenges of traditional packaging materials. With growing attention on environmental protection and sustainable material development, the demand for recyclable packaging materials is on the rise. Conventional packaging materials are typically composed of multiple plastic types, such as Nylon, PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate), and PE, making mechanical recycling difficult. Due to the nature of these composite materials, they have been mostly incinerated or disposed of in landfills, which is recognized as a major contributor to environmental pollution.

To tackle this problem, BOPE has been designed to replace the Nylon and PET in the traditional composite packaging materials, by blending it with PE. This approach enables the creation of a single-material packaging solution composed entirely of PE, significantly simplifying the recycling process. A single-material packaging film eliminates the need for a separation process during recycling, increasing the overall efficiency. Thanks to this characteristic, BOPE is gaining recognition for its eco-friendliness and cost-efficiency.

Furthermore, LG Chem’s BOPE is drawing even more attention for its combination of strength and transparency. Traditional PE lacked sufficient strength, making it difficult to replace Nylon or PET. As BOPE is partly composed of PE, it also faced limitations in being widely used for packaging films. To overcome these limitations, LG Chem’s R&D team went beyond the traditional raw-material blending methods and approached the challenge at the particle level. They sought to enhance the material’s fundamental properties by analyzing its molecular structure at the nano-level and designing the optimal molecular arrangement based on their findings. In particular, the study utilizing Korea’s only particle accelerator marked a crucial turning point in the development of BOPE. Consequently, LG Chem’s BOPE emerged as an outstanding material that meets the demands of strength, transparency, and recyclability.

Technological Innovations and Achievements of BOPE

LG Chem’s technological innovations in BOPE have garnered positive appraisal from the market. The company won the Presidential Award, the highest honor of the 2024 Korea Industrial Technology R&D Grand Award. Hosted by the Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy, this is the most prestigious technology award in the country, recognizing LG Chem’s technological innovation and industrial impact. Additionally, LG Chem’s BOPE technology has been acknowledged for its excellence, earning the National Excellent New Technology (NET) certification.

BOPE’s success has extended beyond Korea, making an impact worldwide. It was listed as a recommended product by Brückner, a German film equipment company, showcasing its technological excellence in the global market. Internally, its value was further validated with the Grand Prize at the LG Awards for Customer Satisfaction. These milestones are cementing LG Chem’s status as a global frontrunner in eco-friendly technologies.

BOPE Gaining Recognition as an Eco-friendly Packaging Material

Thanks to its exceptional physical properties, BOPE is widely used in various eco-friendly packaging solutions. It is most commonly found in the packaging of consumer goods, such as refillable detergents and pet food pouches. These packaging materials must provide clear product visibility while ensuring high durability—a balance that BOPE perfectly meets. Unlike traditional composite packaging, which is difficult to recycle, BOPE enables the production of single-material packaging films. This makes it increasingly sought after in developed countries, where stricter environmental regulations on packaging materials have recently been enforced.

BOPE is an innovative packaging solution that offers not only exceptional strength and transparency but also significant environmental benefits. In particular, it is expected to play a key role in industries demanding eco-friendly packaging materials, enhancing brand value while making a positive impact on both consumers and the environment.

LG Chem’s high-strength BOPE film is a breakthrough technology that overcomes the limitations of traditional composite materials, enabling the transition to single-material packaging. With its cutting-edge technology that surpasses conventional packaging solutions, it is gaining attention in the global packaging market. Its outstanding performance and eco-friendly properties also open up possibilities for expansion into a wider range of industries. Stay tuned as BOPE drives major changes in the packaging industry, while LG Chem’s innovative material development continues to shape the future.