LG Electronics Begins Full-Scale Operation of Industrial Heat Pumps... Accelerating Carbon Neutrality

Commenced Operation of Industrial Heat Pump System
with Enhanced Maximum Temperature and Capacity
Supplied to a Domestic Paper Manufacturer

LG Electronics is taking the lead in the market by supplying industrial heat pumps with enhanced outlet water temperature and capacity.

According to LG Electronics on July 8, the company recently completed the supply of a large-capacity (1,000 refrigeration ton-class) and high-temperature-difference (a temperature difference of more than 70℃ between high and low temperatures, high-temperature supply of at least 108℃) industrial heat pump system to Ajin P&P, a paper manufacturing company based in Daegu, and officially commenced full-scale operation earlier this month.

LG Electronics' industrial heat pump product. LG Electronics

This project is a major national research and development initiative led by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy to achieve 'carbon neutrality by 2050.' Since 2023, a consortium of 15 entities from industry, academia, and research—including LG Electronics—has been pushing forward this large-scale project.

Heat pumps used in industrial settings require much higher performance and capacity than those for residential or commercial use. The newly supplied product has raised the outlet water temperature of conventional industrial heat pumps—previously around 90°C—to 108°C (with a maximum of 118°C), while achieving a large capacity of up to 1,040 RT (refrigeration tons), marking it as an innovative product.

The high-temperature water—over 100°C—produced by industrial heat pumps can be applied in a variety of industrial sites, such as paper mills, product sterilization processes in food factories, chemical plants, and refineries. These applications are expected to significantly reduce both carbon emissions and energy costs. According to global market research firm MarketsandMarkets, the global industrial heat pump market is projected to grow to USD 4.8 billion (approximately KRW 6.5 trillion) by 2026.

LG Electronics' industrial heat pump is notable for improving energy efficiency by using electric energy and waste heat recovery instead of burning fossil fuels. The company has applied its proprietary 'large-capacity oil-free magnetic bearing' technology, which eliminates the restrictions associated with lubricant supply and also reduces costs related to maintenance and electricity.

In addition, the core heat transfer medium used is R-1233zd, which has a global warming potential (GWP) of just 1. LG Electronics received the Korea Technology Grand Prize in 2024 for its 'low-carbon electric-based oil-free multi-stage compression heating and cooling technology,' and the IR52 Jang Young Shil Award in 2026 for its 'oil-free turbo heating and cooling device.'

LG Electronics is expanding its industrial heat pump business both domestically and internationally. In 2024, the company supplied an industrial water-source heat pump to the Korea World Trade Center (COEX), and in 2025, it secured an overseas reference by supplying an industrial heat pump for district heating to Ørsted, an energy company in Denmark. The company is actively pursuing orders in industrial sectors across North America and Europe, including the United States, Canada, Norway, and Finland.

Jae Sung Lee, President of LG Electronics' ES Business Division, stated, "In the field of heat pumps, which are fundamentally transforming the way cooling, heating, and thermal energy are utilized in residential, commercial, and now industrial environments, we will strengthen our global market strategy with differentiated core components and technological capabilities."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.