LG Chem has developed a plastic material that can replace the metal of the solar panel frame for the first time in Korea.
LG Chem announced on October 19 that it has developed "LUPOY EU5201", a PC/ASA flame-retardant material that maintains the shape of the material even when temperature changes due to its low level of thermal expansion using its proprietary technology and manufacturing method.
PC/ASA is an engineering plastic that blends Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) resin with Polycarbonate as a base.
The photovoltaic panel frame is located on the edge of the photovoltaic panel to protect and support the panel from external impact.
As it is exposed to the sun directly on the outside walls and roofs of buildings for a long period of time, heat resistance and corrosion resistance are required.
It accounts for about 10% of the solar panel, and aluminum alloy is mainly used.
The new material developed by LG Chem is a high-functional engineering plastic material that supplements the mechanical properties of general plastics by adding glass fibers to a polycarbonate compound.
It has the same level of durability as conventional aluminum, but is half the weight and has excellent price competitiveness.
In addition, it has excellent dimensional stability that maintains its shape even with temperature changes, so it is not easily altered or deformed by the external environment.
By reducing chemical decomposition caused by UV exposure, the lifespan of the product is greatly improved compared to general plastics, and the color is maintained even when exposed to UV light for a long period of time.
Replacing aluminum with LG Chem's new engineering plastic material is expected to reduce material costs as well as dramatically reduce the weight of solar panels, improving transportation and installation convenience.
LG Chem will also consider collecting discarded solar panel frames and recycling them into Post-Consumer Recycled Polycarbonate (PCR PC), which is recycled plastic.
After securing mass production in the first half of this year, LG Chem started selling products in earnest from the third quarter. Based on the supply of solar panel frames, it plans to expand the application of materials to interior and exterior materials for automobiles in the future.
Meanwhile, LG Chem declared carbon-neutral growth by 2050 for the first time in the Korean petrochemical industry last year, and is promoting RE100, which produces products using renewable energy at all business sites around the world.
