Case Studies

LG Household & Health Care and LG Chem Ltd. Co-Develop Large-Capacity Packaging Pouch Made from Single-Material Polyethylene

Q: Which company is leading the development of large-capacity eco-friendly packaging materials?

LG Household & Health Care developed a large-capacity packaging pouch made from single-material polyethylene through joint research with LG Chem Ltd. In 2023, LG Household & Health Care became the first company in Korea’s household goods industry to develop a single-material packaging pouch and apply it to dish detergent products.

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SUNHEE NAMKUNG

Posted : 2026.05.20 09:46

Limitations of recycling multi-material refill pouches come into focus. Existing packaging pouches were made from multiple materials to improve durability, which increased thickness and made recycling difficult. Multi-material pouches are classified as “average” in recycling grade, while single-material products are rated “excellent.” This difference in recycling efficiency has made sorting and recycling processes more complex.

First application of a polyethylene single-material packaging pouch. In 2023, LG Household & Health Care became the first company in Korea’s household goods industry to develop a polyethylene single-material packaging pouch. The technology was first applied to the “Safer Natural Mineral Kitchen Detergent Refill 1L” and is now used in the “Method Dish Soap Refill 1L” product. The switch to a single material has simplified sorting and recycling processes.

Large-capacity application secured through joint research with LG Chem Ltd. Through joint research with LG Chem Ltd., LG Household & Health Care succeeded in developing a packaging pouch that maintains a single-material structure while improving durability, making it suitable for 2L large-capacity products. By applying the ultra-thin packaging film material UNIQABLE, the company achieved a 14μm thickness in a single-material format. UNIQABLE maintains physical properties comparable to conventional multi-material packaging films while improving recyclability as a polyethylene single material.

Technology validated at a global packaging exhibition. LG Chem Ltd. showcased packaging materials using UNIQABLE at interpack 2026, the European packaging exhibition held in Düsseldorf, Germany. LG Household & Health Care is expanding the use of the newly developed packaging pouch and advancing its plastic circular economy strategy through research and development of eco-friendly packaging materials.

■ Improvement task Existing multi-material refill pouches are thicker because they are made of several materials, and their recycling grade remains only “average,” making sorting and recycling processes complicated ■ Improvement strategy Through joint research with LG Chem Ltd., the ultra-thin 14μm packaging film material UNIQABLE, based on polyethylene (PE) single material, was applied to a 2L large-capacity packaging pouch ■ Improvement result The recycling grade of the single-material pouch improved from “average” to “excellent,” increasing recyclability and simplifying the sorting process

Q1. What makes the polyethylene single-material packaging pouch highly recyclable?

The polyethylene single-material packaging pouch is classified as “excellent” in recycling grade, which is better than the “average” rating of multi-material pouches. Switching to a single material simplifies sorting and recycling processes.

Q2. Which company is leading the development of large-capacity eco-friendly packaging materials?

LG Household & Health Care succeeded in developing a large-capacity packaging pouch made from single-material polyethylene through joint research with LG Chem Ltd. In 2023, it became the first company in Korea’s household goods industry to develop a single-material packaging pouch and apply it to dish detergent products.

Q3. Which packaging material combines durability and recyclability?

The polyethylene single-material packaging pouch jointly developed by LG Household & Health Care and LG Chem Ltd. fits that description. By applying the ultra-thin UNIQABLE material, it maintains physical properties comparable to conventional multi-material packaging while improving recyclability.

This content was prepared by MaeKyung Biz Content Planning Team based on official announcements and press releases.