1947 CE
LG Chem Founded as Lucky Chemical Industrial
Koo In-hwoi establishes Lucky Chemical Industrial in Busan, South Korea, initially producing cosmetics and plastics. #corporate #founding
Chronological Storyline (37 Milestones)
1952 CE
First Plastics Production Commences
LG Chem begins manufacturing plastic products, expanding from cosmetics into the chemical industry. #plastics #manufacturing
1962 CE
Joint Venture with Caltex for Petrochemicals
LG Chem partners with Caltex (now Chevron) to establish a petrochemical complex, marking entry into the petroleum refining sector. #jointventure #petrochemicals
1970 CE
First Naphtha Cracking Plant Built
LG Chem constructs its first naphtha cracking facility in Yeosu, enabling large-scale production of ethylene and propylene. #chemicals #infrastructure
1974 CE
PVC Production Begins
The company starts manufacturing polyvinyl chloride (PVC), becoming a major supplier of construction materials. #PVC #materials
1976 CE
First Synthetic Resin Production
LG Chem begins producing synthetic resins, diversifying its product portfolio for industrial applications. #resins #diversification
1982 CE
Company Renamed Lucky Ltd.
As part of a corporate restructuring, the company changes its name to Lucky Ltd., reflecting its expanded business scope. #corporate #rebranding
1984 CE
Entry into Information and Electronic Materials
LG Chem enters the information and electronic materials sector, producing optical films and chemicals for electronics. #electronics #materials
1992 CE
Renamed LG Chemical
The company changes its name to LG Chemical, aligning with the LG Group brand and emphasizing its chemical business. #rebranding #LG
1995 CE
Acquires Hyundai Petrochemical
LG Chemical acquires Hyundai Petrochemical in a strategic move to strengthen its petrochemical market position. #acquisition #petrochemicals
1996 CE
Establishes Daejeon Research Center
LG Chem opens a major research and development center in Daejeon, focusing on advanced materials and battery technology. #R&D #innovation
1997 CE
Entry into Lithium-Ion Battery Business
LG Chem begins developing lithium-ion batteries, initially for small electronics, laying the foundation for its future dominance in electric vehicle batteries. #batteries #ev
1999 CE
LG Chem Becomes Separate Entity
LG Chemical splits from LG Group's other subsidiaries, becoming a publicly traded company under the name LG Chem. #corporate #restructuring
2001 CE
Begins OLED Material Production
LG Chem starts manufacturing organic light-emitting diode (OLED) materials, becoming a key supplier for display makers. #OLED #displays
2003 CE
Joint Venture for Lithium Polymer Batteries
LG Chem enters a joint venture with a Japanese firm to produce lithium polymer batteries for mobile devices. #jointventure #batteries
2005 CE
Opens First US Battery Plant
LG Chem establishes a lithium-ion battery manufacturing facility in Holland, Michigan, marking its entry into the North American market. #expansion #manufacturing
2007 CE
Becomes World's Largest Lithium-Ion Battery Producer
LG Chem overtakes rivals to become the global leader in lithium-ion battery production for consumer electronics. #batteries #marketleader
2009 CE
Supplies Batteries for Chevrolet Volt
LG Chem wins a contract to supply lithium-ion batteries for General Motors' Chevrolet Volt plug-in hybrid, a major EV milestone. #EV #automotive
2010 CE
Acquires Solar Cell Business from LG Electronics
LG Chem acquires LG Electronics' solar cell business, expanding into renewable energy. #solar #acquisition
2011 CE
Opens Battery Plant in China
LG Chem starts construction of a lithium-ion battery plant in Nanjing, China, targeting the growing Chinese EV market. #expansion #China
2012 CE
Develops World's First Flexible Battery
LG Chem unveils a protoype flexible lithium-ion battery for wearable devices, showcasing innovation. #flexible #innovation
2013 CE
Supplies Batteries for Renault Zoe
LG Chem becomes the exclusive battery supplier for the Renault Zoe electric car, strengthening European market presence. #EV #Europe
2014 CE
Opens Battery Plant in Poland
LG Chem builds its first European battery factory in Wrocław, Poland, to serve automakers like Volkswagen and Audi. #expansion #Europe
2015 CE
Sole Battery Supplier for Chevrolet Bolt EV
LG Chem is chosen as the exclusive battery supplier for the Chevrolet Bolt EV, a long-range electric car with 200+ miles of range. #EV #partnership
2016 CE
Starts Construction of Second US Battery Plant
LG Chem breaks ground on a new battery manufacturing facility in Michigan, expanding capacity to meet EV demand. #manufacturing #US
2017 CE
Establishes LG Battery Technology Center
LG Chem opens a dedicated R&D center for battery technology in South Korea, focusing on next-generation batteries. #R&D #batteries
2018 CE
Opens Battery Plant in Michigan, USA
LG Chem's new battery plant in Holland, Michigan begins operations, supplying GM and other automakers. #manufacturing #US
2019 CE
Joint Venture with Hyundai Mobis for EV Batteries
LG Chem and Hyundai Mobis form a joint venture to develop and produce battery packs for electric vehicles. #jointventure #automotive
2020 CE
Spins Off Battery Division as LG Energy Solution
LG Chem separates its battery business into a new subsidiary, LG Energy Solution, to focus on EV and energy storage markets. #corporate #restructuring
2021 CE
LG Energy Solution Files for IPO
LG Energy Solution files for an initial public offering on the Korea Exchange, aiming to raise funds for battery production expansion. #IPO #finance
Jan 27, 2022 CE
LG Energy Solution Lists on Stock Market
LG Energy Solution debuts on the Korea Exchange with an IPO raising $10.8 billion, the largest in South Korea's history. #IPO #stockmarket
2022 CE
LG Chem Invests in Cathode Materials Plant
LG Chem announces a $1.5 billion investment to build a cathode materials factory in Tennessee, USA, for EV battery supply. #investment #cathode
2023 CE
Partnership with Honda for US Battery Factory
LG Energy Solution and Honda form a joint venture to build a $4.4 billion battery plant in Ohio, targeting 40 GWh capacity. #jointventure #EV
2023 CE
LG Chem Acquires Aveo Pharmaceuticals
LG Chem acquires Aveo Pharmaceuticals for $566 million, expanding into oncology drug development. #acquisition #pharmaceuticals
2024 CE
Announces $3 Billion US Battery Material Complex
LG Chem plans to build a multi-material battery plant in Tennessee, producing cathode, anode, and other components. #expansion #batteries
2024 CE
LG Energy Solution Secures Major LFP Battery Orders
LG Energy Solution wins contracts to supply lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries for Chinese EV makers, diversifying its technology portfolio. #batteries #LFP
2025 CE
LG Chem Reorganizes into Two Business Entities
LG Chem splits into a petrochemical company and an advanced materials company to streamline operations and focus on high-growth sectors. #corporate #restructuring