LG Electronics joins Glass Futures

LG Electronics has joined Glass Futures, a not-for-profit organisation based in St Helens dedicated to identifying and delivering methods to decarbonise the global glass and foundation industries.

Youngseok Kim, Business Leader of Advanced Materials at LG Electronics said, “Glass is everywhere in our lives, and we believe it is our duty to collaborate and find innovative solutions to manufacture glass in the most sustainable way.

“LG Electronics is interested in exploring advanced technologies for glass production such as electric or hydrogen powered furnaces, as well as increasing the proportion of recycled content to make new products.”

Earlier this year a trade mission took place in the Republic of Korea, with Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCR CA). As part of the UK-Republic of Korea Innovation Twins Programme, the British Embassy introduced Glass Futures to LG Electronics, the world’s largest manufacturers of consumer electronics and home goods, as one of many partnerships supported by LCR CA.

After technical discussions, LG Electronics became members of the not-for-profit research and technology organisation to benefit from its world leading technical expertise.

Glass Futures’ GBP 54 million government funded Global Centre of Excellence in St Helens will allow industry to trial and demonstrate disruptive technologies and generate ideas that will support the glass and foundation industries to decarbonise and become more sustainable, faster.

Youngseok Kim added, “We’re excited to work with Glass Futures and it’s growing membership of global glass manufacturers to drive positive change and create opportunities to exchange knowledge on the latest technologies so we can grow together.”

Chief Executive at Glass Futures, Richard Katz said, “We’re delighted to welcome LG Electronics to Glass Futures’ membership alongside many world leading corporations, particularly at the time of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s State Visit to the UK to celebrate our two nations building on our complementary strengths in innovation toward Net Zero.”

LG Electronics introduced glass powder into its ovens in 2013 to make them easier to clean. The enamel coating technology, known as “EasyClean,” was developed by LG Electronics’ in-house R&D team and was the starting point of its relationship with glass.

Since 2022, antibacterial glass powder has been used on refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners. LG Electronics is looking to expand this technology by working in collaboration with Glass Futures.