[From the Field]LG Electronics Showcases Presence at 'Water Expo'

(Daegu=Yonhap Infomax) Su Jin Yoo – South Korea’s leading home appliance manufacturer, LG Electronics Co. made a notable appearance at the ‘Korea International Water Week (KIWW) 2025’ event held in Daegu.

The intersection of ‘home appliances’ and ‘water’ was found in laundry technology. LG Electronics’ proprietary functional laundry material, ‘Mineral Wash’, was highlighted as a prime example of South Korea’s ‘water technology innovation’. The company is positioning its advanced materials business as a new B2B growth engine and is actively expanding in this area.

The ‘KIWW 2025’, which opened at EXCO in Daegu on the 12th, featured 71 companies and organizations, each operating their own booths to showcase innovative products and technologies related to the water industry.

A guided line tour was conducted for key attendees. Geum Han-seung, First Vice Minister of the Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, along with water management officials from over 60 countries, toured the exhibition hall following the opening ceremony, accompanied by docent explanations.

The line tour was themed ‘Korea, a Country Grown by Water’.

The exhibition recounted how Korea, once known as a ‘land of floods and droughts’ in the 1960s where even stable access to clean water was a challenge, has transformed into a powerhouse in water management technology. The core message was Korea’s evolution from an aid recipient to a donor nation sharing its water-related technologies and expertise.

LG Electronics led the tour’s opening segment.

As a case study in the ‘water technology innovation’ category, which demonstrates Korea’s solutions to water challenges, LG Electronics’ eco-friendly functional material ‘Mineral Wash’ was introduced.

‘Mineral Wash’ is an inorganic material developed in-house by LG Electronics, based on natural minerals. When combined with water, it releases mineral ions, acting as a water-soluble glass powder that enhances laundry performance. The alkaline mineral ions penetrate between fibers and contaminants, breaking down oil, fat, protein, and other pollutants.

‘Mineral Wash’ contributes to solving water issues by eliminating surfactants, which are typically found in conventional laundry detergents.

As a result, it produces no foam, reducing the number of rinse cycles required and thereby lowering both water and electricity consumption. Tests have shown that rinse cycles can be reduced by approximately 41%, and electricity usage by about 5%.

Importantly, the product is not harmful to the environment.

LG Electronics commissioned the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL) to verify that the product is safe for both humans and the environment. According to LG Electronics, it is even less irritating to the skin, making it safe for everyday use.

The docent stated, “As the global leader in washing machines, LG Electronics has long considered both ‘clean laundry’ and the ‘value of water’. With water stress issues such as shortages and declining water quality intensifying worldwide, ‘Mineral Wash’ was developed as a laundry technology that also considers water circulation.”

The explanation continued, emphasizing that LG Electronics is preparing for a sustainable future through small changes in daily life.

Earlier in June, LG Electronics signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Water Industry Cluster Project Group and the Korea Water Forum for a pilot project on low-carbon ‘Mineral Wash’ to realize ‘Water Positive’ outcomes.

‘Water Positive’ refers to a company returning more water to nature than it consumes, contributing to sustainable water management. This includes reducing water usage, reusing wastewater, and restoring rivers.

LG Electronics expects that, once the effectiveness of ‘Mineral Wash’ is validated, business opportunities will expand in the household and commercial laundry detergent raw materials markets. The glass powder can be formulated with various components to provide specialized functions such as antibacterial, antifungal, and pollutant decomposition, offering potential for expansion into multiple industries. (Industry Desk, Su Jin Yoo)

sjyoo@yna.co.kr

(End)