Plastics are a key material that underpins modern industry. Among them, PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is widely used, from construction materials to everyday items such as bags and rain boots. However, traditional PVC is prone to deformation at high temperatures and can wear out with long-term use, highlighting the need for improvement. In response, LG Chem has developed a new type of PVC that overcomes these limitations. Today, we introduce Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC, a next-generation material that is gaining attention.

The Evolution of PVC: Stronger and More Flexible

PVC is a thermoplastic that softens easily when heated and hardens again as it cools. With a lighter weight and lower production cost compared to metal, it is widely used across various fields such as construction, industry, and consumer goods. In particular, its excellent waterproof and chemical resistance properties make it ideal for products like raincoats and boots, as well as synthetic leather used in bags and shoes, cable insulation, and water pipes. It also offers strong resistance to corrosion and staining, making it a popular choice for interior construction materials such as wallpapers and flooring. Thanks to these characteristics, PVC has become an indispensable material in our daily lives.

However, conventional PVC has limitations, such as easy deformation at high temperatures and wear over long-term use. To address these issues and expand its range of applications, LG Chem has continued various technological efforts. Notably, Bio-Circular Balanced PVC, made by blending plant-based bio-materials, and PCR PVC (Post-Consumer Recycled PVC), produced by recycling post-consumer waste, have gained attention as materials that combine sustainability with functionality. In addition, LG Chem has continued to develop technologies to overcome the physical limitations of conventional PVC.

In 2024, LG Chem made a significant leap by developing Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC, which surpasses the heat resistance and durability limitations of conventional PVC. This next-generation material dramatically increases the molecular weight by enhancing the number of molecules forming the polymer chains. Not only does it offer improved strength, but also enhanced heat resistance and durability, expanding its potential applications across various industries. In particular, the electric vehicle (EV) market is gaining attention as a promising field for new demand.

PVC has traditionally been used in construction materials, but with a slowdown in the construction sector, the need to explore new markets emerged. In response, LG Chem turned its focus to electric vehicle (EV) charging cables. Previously, these cables were typically made from TPU or TPE, which had limitations in flexibility and flame retardancy. In contrast, LG Chem’s Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC offers excellent flame retardancy, heat resistance, and soft flexibility, enhancing both the safety and usability of EV charging cables.

HRTP4000, LG Chem’s Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC

LG Chem named this new high-performance PVC “HRTP4000,” an acronym for Heat-resistant and Recyclable Thermal Plastic. The number 4000 represents its degree of polymerization, an indicator of how many repeating units make up each polymer chain. While typical PVC products have a degree of polymerization around 1,000, HRTP4000 boasts a level over four times higher, marking it as a significantly more advanced material. A higher polymerization degree generally leads to improved mechanical strength and durability. However, it can also make the material more difficult to process. This means that simply increasing the polymerization degree is not enough to ensure overall material performance.

To address this challenge, LG Chem developed proprietary technology that enables a high degree of polymerization while maintaining excellent processability. This breakthrough made it possible to produce a PVC material with both superior strength and ease of processing, and the technology has been patented.

Thanks to this technology, HRTP4000 is gaining recognition as a state-of-the-art material that combines a wide range of advanced physical properties. In particular, it features outstanding wear resistance against friction and repeated use, excellent mechanical strength to withstand external impact, thermal stability at high temperatures, and superior flame retardancy. These qualities make it highly suitable for industries that demand high-performance materials.

HRTP4000 sets a new benchmark beyond the limitations of conventional PVC, representing the culmination of LG Chem’s advanced polymer technology. It is expected to see broad application across high-value markets, including construction materials, EV charging cables, automotive interior synthetic leather, and industrial high heat-resistant wires.

Applications Across Diverse Industries

With its outstanding properties, Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC is being applied across a wide range of industries. In particular, when used in EV charging cables, it offers approximately 30% greater flexibility compared to conventional materials, significantly enhancing user convenience. Additionally, its excellent flame retardancy and heat resistance help effectively suppress fire spread, making it a highly reliable and safe material choice.

Ultra-high Molecular PVC Shines at CHINAPLAS 2025

In April, at CHINAPLAS 2025, Asia’s largest plastic and rubber exhibition held in China, LG Chem unveiled its EV charging cables and automotive interior synthetic leather products made with Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC for the first time, drawing significant attention from attendees.

At the Smart Living Zone and Empowering Energy Zone, LG Chem showcased automotive interior synthetic leather and EV charging cables made with Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC, respectively. What was once seen as a simple connection tool, the EV charging cable, has now evolved into a high-performance product that addresses fire spread suppression, thermal stability, and user convenience, earning strong praise from industry professionals.

This technological achievement also received global recognition. LG Chem’s Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC, together with its nonglossy ABS, was honored with the ‘Innovation of the Year’ Award, earning a spot as one of the most groundbreaking and attention-grabbing materials showcased at the exhibition. The ‘Innovation of the Year’ is awarded by industry experts based on criteria such as functionality, sustainability, and market applicability. Receiving this award highlights the material’s excellence in both technological performance and practical value, making the recognition especially meaningful.

Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC represents more than just a technological breakthrough. It is breathing new life into LG Chem’s entire PVC business. By consistently developing customer-focused, high-value-added solutions and expanding their applications across a wide range of industries, LG Chem is reinforcing PVC’s position as a highly competitive material in an evolving market. Having just taken its first step forward, Ultra-high Molecular Weight PVC is poised to bring innovation to both industries and everyday life. At the heart of this sustainable innovation stands LG Chem.