LG to utilize eco-magnesium in its mobile phones by 2012

LG has announced plans to replace all conventional magnesium inside its mobile phones with Eco-Magnesium, a new type of clean magnesium alloy, by 2012. As a result, the company will reduce greenhouse gas emission by a factor of approximately 24,000 during the die casting process without affecting the quality of the final product.

Eco-Magnesium was developed by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH) with funding from the government of Korea. During production, Eco-Magnesium creates practically no sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), which the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) cites as one of the most potent greenhouse gas ever encountered. Replacing conventional magnesium with Eco-Magnesium in mobile phones will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by four kilograms for every handset LG produces.

As part of this plan, LG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the three producers of Eco-Magnesium — HK High-Tech, Keumgang Coen and Hallacast — to provide them with training in the practice of carbon credit trading and technological support. Under the deal, LG will greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and earn carbon credits.