Products that generate both heat and electricity carry a risk of fire. This has recently drawn attention to various materials designed to reduce such risks. In particular, flame-retardant plastics that help prevent the spread of fire are widely used in industries such as electronics, automotive, and construction. However, most flame-retardant plastics still contain PFAS*.

PFAS has been widely used to enhance flame-retardant performance. However, growing concerns over environmental and health impacts are driving demand for eco-friendly alternatives. Today, there is a growing need for plastics that are not only resistant to fire but also reduce environmental burdens. In response, LG Chem has developed a new material that meets both flame-retardancy and environmental safety. In this edition of FOCUS ON, we take a closer look at PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS— a sustainable material that delivers high flame-retardant performance without harmful substances such as PFAS.

*PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances): Synthetic chemicals with strong carbon–fluorine bonds, often referred to as forever chemicals because they do not naturally decompose.

What is PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS?

PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS is an eco-friendly, high-performance plastic developed by LG Chem. It features excellent flame and impact resistance while also reducing carbon emissions. This material is created by combining PC (Polycarbonate) and ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene). PC offers rigidity and heat resistance, while ABS provides superior impact absorption and processability. By integrating the strengths of both, PC/ABS is widely applied to products requiring durability and heat resistance. On top of this, LG Chem applied their proprietary flame-retardant technology, ensuring stable flame performance without the use of PFAS. Conventional flame-retardant plastics have often contained PFAS, but because these substances do not naturally decompose and persist in the environment, regulations have been increasingly tightened. LG Chem is taking a proactive approach to address these changes.

The material has achieved V-0, the highest rating in the UL94 flame-retardancy test. This rating is granted only when the flame self-extinguishes within 10 seconds after being applied vertically to the material. LG Chem is the first to earn a V-0 rating with PFAS-Free PC/ABS, a milestone that demonstrates fire suppression can be effectively achieved without harmful substances. In addition, the proportion of recycled plastics has been significantly increased. More than half of the material consists of PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled) plastics, reducing carbon emissions by approximately 46% compared to conventional PC/ABS. This achievement goes beyond simply using eco-friendly raw materials—it proves the carbon reduction effect with concrete numbers. By lowering the environmental impact during production, the material offers an ideal solution for companies striving toward carbon neutrality.

Applications of PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS

PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS can be applied to a wide range of products exposed simultaneously to heat and electricity. In environments where external impacts, heat generation, and high temperatures occur repeatedly, basic flame-retardant performance alone is not sufficient. Materials must be robust, maintain stability, and at the same time address environmental concerns. Electronic devices are structurally prone to heat concentration, making heat resistance and self-extinguishing capabilities essential. LG Chem’s PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS not only resists ignition but also suppresses the spread of fire, making it well-suited for chargers, adapters, and power supply covers. EV chargers and inverters, which are often exposed to harsh external conditions and handle heavy electrical loads, require both flame-retardancy and mechanical strength.

PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS meets these requirements, making it suitable for use in electric vehicle components as well. In construction and interior applications, strict legal fire safety standards are enforced. Therefore, this material not only provides essential flame-retardant properties but also ensures excellent processability and durability, which makes it well suited for diverse interior applications such as wall claddings, moldings, and panels. By fulfilling all these criteria, PFAS-Free flame-retardant PC/ABS provides a reliable alternative across industries that demand both safety and sustainability.

LG Chem’s Technology Expansion Strategy

LG Chem is expanding PFAS-Free flame-retardant materials beyond a single product into a wide range of engineering plastics. Starting with PC/ABS, the company is developing flame-retardant technologies for other materials such as PC and PBT. Throughout this process, they are ensuring a balanced combination of flame-retardancy and mechanical performance for each material. In parallel, LG Chem is verifying their technologies based on global certification standards. According to the intended applications of each material, the company has been sequentially obtaining international safety certifications, including the UL94 V-0 rating, with the goal of meeting both customer requirements for quality and the demand for sustainability. Steven Kim, Head of LG Chem’s Engineering Materials Division, stated, “The shift toward eco-friendly solutions, such as PFAS-Free flame-retardant plastics, will become an established global trend. We will continue our R&D efforts to deliver sustainable flame-retardant materials that place the highest priority on protecting our customers’ health and the environment.”

LG Chem is expanding PFAS-Free flame-retardant technology beyond a single product to a wide range of engineering plastics. By establishing structures that simultaneously meet three key requirements—mechanical strength, flame retardancy, and environmental sustainability—the company delivers optimized flame-retardant solutions tailored to each application field. In addition, LG Chem has systematized flame-retardant design and performance verification that reflect the characteristics and usage environments of each material, thereby sequentially securing global safety certifications. The key lies in eliminating PFAS while maintaining both safety and eco-friendliness without compromising performance. Looking ahead, LG Chem will continue to expand their flame-retardant materials portfolio, combining high functionality with sustainability, based on their accumulated technologies and expertise.