LG Electronics says it has significantly reduced the use of plastic and cut carbon emissions in the production of its latest commercial 4-way system air conditioners.
The company has introduced a new material and a revised manufacturing process as part of its “Better Life for All” ESG vision, which focuses on reducing the environmental impact of its products.
Independent testing and certification firm TÜV Rheinland confirmed that carbon emissions per unit of LG’s new 4-way system air conditioners had been lowered to 14.85 kilograms of CO₂ equivalents. The achievement comes through a combination of new materials and a novel manufacturing technique.
Innovative production method
Traditionally, plastic panels for air conditioners were manufactured using conventional injection molding. LG has now adopted a foaming injection molding technique that injects nitrogen gas into the mold, creating bubbles inside the material.
The process reduces plastic use by approximately 900 grams per unit. In addition, the company has shifted from Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) to Polypropylene (PP), a material with a lower carbon footprint.
LG estimates that this innovation alone will reduce plastic consumption by around 270 tons annually. It also expects to cut carbon emissions by over 4,400 tons each year, which it equates to the amount of carbon absorbed in a year by a 30-year-old pine forest spread across more than 580 football pitches.
Expanding sustainability
The company began applying the foaming injection molding process to its 4-way system air conditioners in June 2025 and says it plans to expand its use to other residential and commercial models in the future.
The announcement aligns with LG’s broader sustainability goals. According to its latest Sustainability Report, the firm aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 54.6% by 2030 compared with 2017 levels. To achieve this, LG is introducing high-efficiency equipment into its production lines, investing in renewable energy, and improving the energy efficiency of its appliances.
Core technology focus
Central to this strategy is what the company calls “Core Tech.” One example is LG’s inverter motor technology, designed to reduce energy waste by adjusting the motor and compressor speeds in real time, depending on cooling demand.
The firm has also recently launched an inverter scroll chiller that uses R32 refrigerant, which has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) about 30% lower than the R410A refrigerant commonly used in cooling systems.
Bae Cheung-hyun, head of the System Air Conditioners Business at LG ES Company, said:
“The new material and manufacturing process we’ve introduced underscores our efforts to minimise environmental impacts. LG will continue to leverage innovative technologies to develop eco-conscious air conditioners for a healthier planet.”
The company’s latest measures form part of a global trend among manufacturers to reduce reliance on plastics and adopt low-carbon technologies as governments and consumers place increasing emphasis on climate action.
