LG Electronics (LG) has announced it will replace all conventional magnesium inside its mobile phones with Eco-Magnesium, a new type of clean magnesium alloy, by 2012 in order to reduce carbon emissions during manufacturing of cell-phones.
According to Mr. George Mudhune, Regional marketing manager, LG Electronics, East Africa, the Eco-Magnesium will help reduce greenhouse gas emission by a factor of approximately 24,000 during the die casting process without affecting the quality of the final product. “Replacing conventional magnesium with Eco-Magnesium in mobile phones will reduce carbon dioxide emissions by four kilograms for every handset LG produces, “he said.
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 Intergovern-mental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) cites as one of the most potent greenhouse gas ever encountered.

At the same time, LG signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the three producers of Eco-Magnesium - HK High-Tech Co., Keumgang Coen and Hallacast Co late November this year. As part of the agreement, LG will provide the three companies with training in the practice of carbon credit trading and technological support. The MOU promises to help LG greatly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and earn valuable carbon credits. “Eco-Magnesium is one of LG’s key strategies in our ongoing effort to transform LG into a leader in more environmentally responsible manufacturing,” said Mr. K. Wan Kim, CEO of LG Electronics Middle East Africa. “This transition to Eco-Magnesium will allow LG and our customers to play a small but significant role in making the world cleaner for future generations.”