LG Announces Global Startup Competition to Recruit New Businesses for Innovation Center
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By News Reporter
Partnership to Enhance Company’s High-performance Heat Pump Solutions for Cold Climates,
Lay Groundwork for the Development of Next-generation Technologies
SEOUL, Sep. 3, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) is completing its global R&D triangle with the establishment of the Chinese Consortium for Advanced Heat Pump Research (CCAHR) in Harbin. The consortium, which joins existing LG-led initiatives in North America and Europe, will develop next-generation core technologies for heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) solutions capable of providing strong, dependable performance in extreme cold conditions.
To mark the official launch of CCAHR, LG held a signing ceremony on August 31 (local time) at Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, China. Prominent members of the consortium include the Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Xi’an Jiao Tong University (XJTU), all of which are actively researching HVAC technologies and systems designed for cold climates. The consortium will operate new research facilities in Harbin and Mohe City to develop strong and reliable HVAC solutions, helping LG to deliver products customized to local needs, and strengthen its presence in the Chinese market.
Harbin, known for its harsh winter conditions, and Mohe, where temperatures can drop to below minus 50 degrees Celsius, provide ideal settings for advancing LG’s research into heat pump technologies that can maintain high efficiency in severely cold climates. CCHAR will conduct tests on the company’s HVAC solutions, including residential air conditioners, at two facilities: a university-owned building at the Harbin Institute of Technology campus, and a residential site in Mohe. The consortium will gather comprehensive operational data to improve the heating performance, energy efficiency and overall reliability of LG’s HVAC products.
CCAHR is a significant addition to LG’s growing international program of heat pump R&D collaboration, complementing LG-led consortiums established in Korea and the U.S. last November, and in Europe this June. With its trio of consortiums, LG has built a robust R&D infrastructure spanning North America, Europe and Asia, and will be able to develop technologies suited to the unique demands of each region’s climatic and housing conditions. The R&D triangle will play a major role in further solidifying the company’s global leadership in HVAC technology.
Moreover, during a recent CEO-led
link hidden, please login to view, LG outlined four key strategies for business portfolio innovation, including the acceleration of its B2B capabilities – particularly in the area of HVAC. By leveraging its advanced inverter, heat pump and chiller technologies, LG aims to lead the market in high-efficiency HVAC solutions, while actively targeting the growing demand for cooling systems, especially in AI data centers. Additionally, in key markets, LG’s HVAC business is establishing a locally self-sufficient operation system encompassing the in-house production of core components and the creation of production bases optimized for regional supply. This system, which covers everything from R&D to sales and maintenance, greatly enhances LG’s B2B capabilities and is expected to support meaningful long-term growth.
“We are committed to developing next-generation heat pump technologies tailored to diverse climates,” said James Lee, head of the Air Solution Business Unit at LG Electronics Home Appliance & Air Solution Company. “Through our R&D initiatives, we will strengthen our ability to provide differentiated solutions for each region, and reinforce our product and technology leadership in the global HVAC market.”
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By News Reporter
In a strategic move to bolster its presence in Indonesia, LG is accelerating the capabilities of its Research and Development (R&D) Center in the country by investing in its most valuable asset – its people.
Last year,
link hidden, please login to view officially opened its world-class R&D facility, aiming to elevate the company’s operational capabilities and further its mission of delivering quality products to more consumers worldwide. The 40,000-square-meter R&D center in Cibitung is set to become a pivotal hub for LG’s expansion into new global markets. This facility allows LG to implement a one-stop operation in Indonesia, integrating its supply chain processes into a seamless workflow that encompasses development, production, sales, marketing and customer service. This makes LG Indonesia the first LG subsidiary in the world capable of performing these roles simultaneously.
“Our R&D Center in the heart of Indonesia reinforces our unwavering dedication to serving Indonesia with the highest quality products, bringing up highly competitive manpower with creating jobs, transferring knowledge and making innovations,” said Lee So-yeoun, president of the LG R&D Center in Indonesia. “We anticipate our Indonesia R&D Center to continue positively impacting not only the company but also Indonesia’s broader society.”
This state-of-the-art facility will not only serve as a testing ground for LG’s latest innovations but also support the development of new TVs for the global market.
The center conducts rigorous tests on products to assess their resistance to moisture, heat and vibration as well as the packaging’s ability to protect items from significant drops. These tests are carried out to verify the durability of LG TVs throughout the product life cycle, from shipment to actual use.
Beyond technological development, LG Indonesia seeks to empower local human resources through the new facility. As part of this initiative, LG Indonesia sent 100 local workers to South Korea for a training program to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills. A highly competent local team leads the facility’s technical and development quality assurance departments, and LG has employed approximately 400 people to run it, with plans to recruit more over the coming years.
To further improve its human resources, LG’s Indonesia R&D Center is exploring scholarship programs, internships, project sponsorships and partnerships with prominent local educational institutions. This initiative aims to strengthen the industry-academia relationship while creating broader opportunities for Indonesia’s talented youth. This will almost certainly foster greater innovation, leading to new products designed for the global market.
The Indonesia R&D Center’s high operational standards have earned it three ISO certifications for SHEE (Safety, Health, Environment and Energy): ISO 14001 (Environmental Management), ISO 45001 (Occupational Health and Safety) and ISO 50001 (Energy Management), emphasizing its dedication to safe, eco-friendly operations.
With the implementation of an advanced Building Management System (BMS), LG’s Indonesia R&D Center ensures environmental sustainability and energy efficiency by monitoring and controlling the air conditioning, ventilation, water systems, fire alarms and power.
Beyond enhancing operational efficiency, the R&D Center aims to help the company comply with national standards by adapting its products to better serve the local market, such as acquiring the Indonesian National Standard (SNI) certification. Among its most valuable contributions so far, the facility helped develop the LG OLED G4, the latest OLED TV which uses 60 percent less plastic than conventional televisions and recently received the Eco-friendly Certification for the fourth consecutive year.
Looking ahead, LG’s Indonesia R&D Center will continue to promote sustainability through key ESG initiatives organized under the “LG LOVES Indonesia” program. With a focus on the environment, education, community welfare and child development, the company has already initiated several projects in Indonesia, including “LG Loves Green,” “LG Loves School,” “LG Loves and Cares” and “LG Loves Children.”
Keep an eye on the to see how else the company is putting its Life’s Good motto into action while striving to make meaningful contributions to local communities.
Contributed by LG Indonesia
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By News Reporter
As a global corporate citizen, LG has long been committed to shaping a sustainable and equitable future for all. These efforts have not gone unnoticed, with S&P Global recently recognizing the company’s dedication to a greener future in this year’s Sustainability Yearbook.
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The annual S&P Global’s Sustainability Yearbook is based on the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) from the previous year, which comprehensively evaluates each company’s sustainability practices. The CSA has been comparing companies across 62 industries via industry-specific questionnaires for 25 years.
LG received high scores in this year’s assessment, particularly in the areas of environment and governance. In the environmental sector, LG achieved perfect scores in resource circularity, including energy, waste and water management, and scored major points for its systematic climate strategy. On July 18, LG attended the 2023 S&P Global Sustainability Awards Ceremony held in Seoul to accept the highly sought-after accolade in person.
In the ‘Leisure Equipment & Products and Consumer Electronics Industry category, LG received a score of 71 out of 100, the highest among 109 companies, earning it a place in the prestigious ‘Top 1%’. Out of the 9,400 companies across 62 industries evaluated, only 66 companies made the ‘Top 1%’, and only 6 of them are from South Korea.
Since announcing its target in 2019 to achieve , LG has been actively addressing the climate crisis. It became the first domestic appliance company to have its greenhouse gas reduction targets verified by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In the , LG disclosed its greenhouse gas emissions by calculating all 15 scope 3 emission categories. The company is also expanding its use of recycled plastics and developing paper cushioning materials for packaging, aligning with its efforts to accelerate plastic reduction initiatives.
Regarding corporate governance, LG’s corporate ethics, innovative management and transparent disclosures have been commended. To foster an environment where every employee worldwide can uphold its corporate ethics, LG has distributed its Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct in over 10 languages globally. This year, it introduced a unified Human Rights Principle to establish a consistent policy across borders, demonstrating the company’s respect for human rights and commitment to international standards. Moreover, following the designation of LG Smart Park in Changwon as a Lighthouse Factory by the World Economic Forum in 2022, the company’s Tennessee plant in the US achieved the same recognition last year, establishing a track record of successful innovative management practices.
To realize its Better Life For All vision, LG established last year, focusing on two key areas: the ‘3Cs’ for the planet (carbon neutrality, circularity and clean technology), and the ‘3Ds’ for the people (design for all, decent workplace and diversity & inclusion).
To address the ‘3Cs,’ LG has been working on its transition to renewable energy, expanding waste recycling, developing highly efficient products and utilizing more eco-friendly materials. The ‘3Ds’ focus on ensuring the highest standards of safety, health, labor rights and human rights across the entire supply chain, while promoting the recruitment and development of women and people with disabilities, all the while improving the accessibility of its products and services.
To honor its commitment to realizing a Better Life for All, LG remains steadfast in its dedication to creating value for society. Recognized globally for its outstanding achievements in ESG management, the company will continue to fulfill its responsibilities and roles in the economic, environmental and social sectors. Stay tuned to and discover more ways LG is promoting sustainability worldwide.
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By News Reporter
LG NOVA InnoFest Lights the Halo of Innovation on Bold Ideas and Businesses With
Open Conference Program, Issues a Call for Startups for the Pitch Competition
SAN FRANCISCO, July 16, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) has opened registration for the fourth annual LG NOVA InnoFest, taking place on September 25-26, at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco. Hosted by LG NOVA, LG Electronics’ North America Innovation Center, the two-day event will bring together a cross-section of business leaders, innovators and investors across various industries to collaborate on solutions for a better future. This year’s event theme, “Lighting the Halo of Innovation” was designated to inspire attendees to focus on creating change and impact through co-creation and collaboration on bold ideas and businesses.
The event brings back its annual Startup Pitch Competition, where 10 selected startups will compete to win cash prizes, an audience with executive judges and recognition on stage. In this competition, LG is looking for bold startups with great potential, working on innovative ideas that can lead to transformative change in their markets.
LG Electronics’ sister company LG Chem is co-sponsoring this year’s startup pitch competition, adding a new Life Sciences category alongside CleanTech, HealthTech, AI, Smart Life and Open Innovation. The US Business Development team is seeking next-generation technologies that align with LG Chem’s sustainability mission and will sponsor a new “Innovation for Impact Award.”
For more details on each category, visit
link hidden, please login to view. Interested startups can submit their companies for consideration at . In addition to the monetary prizes and on-stage recognition, selected startups may have the opportunity to collaborate with LG to build businesses, participate in LG NOVA-sponsored marketing activities or qualify for investments from LG and its network. According to a 2023 from Boston Consulting Group, 79 percent of companies ranked innovation among their top three priorities and more than 40 percent expect to increase spending significantly. Today, innovation is being driven by a collaborative ecosystem. This interconnected approach, involving startups, corporations, academia and venture capitalists can result in groundbreaking solutions. Innofest seeks to illustrate the capabilities of this model, bringing together startups, investors and members of the innovation community to exchange ideas, encourage, support and discuss how they can all work together to spur “innovation for a better life.”
“Today the responsibility for innovation no longer sits solely with individual companies; collaboration is critical,” said Dr. Sokwoo Rhee, corporate executive vice president for Innovation at LG Electronics and head of LG NOVA. “Through InnoFest, we are bringing together the entire innovation ecosystem, from corporations to growing startups, to discuss creative and cutting-edge ideas that have the potential to shape our future.”
Last year’s gathering brought 90 industry-leading speakers together for 28 sessions focused on topics such as women in tech; balancing growth, profitability and impact; as well as diversity in tech. The event enabled people to join in the discussions on solutions to challenges in these key areas within the innovation community.
This year, according to Rhee, “InnoFest is boldly reimagining its program to be more interactive and engaging through a non-traditional conference format, emphasizing meaningful connections and inspiring conversations.” Attendees can look forward to influential speakers and keynotes, select curated panels and more dynamic discussion-based sessions.
“At LG, we believe in the power of optimism and innovation to change the world,” said Rhee, who invited startups to join LG at InnoFest 2024, “as we strive to create a brighter future together.”
Registration for InnoFest is now open at . Interested in speaking or moderating at the event? Learn more at .
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By News Reporter
‘Optimism your feed’ Playlist Curated by Global Influencers Will Enable Users
to Engage With Optimistic and Inspiring Content on Their Social Media Feeds
SEOUL, May 29, 2024 — LG Electronics (LG) today launched a global campaign called ‘Optimism your feed,’ which aims to help users bring more optimism to their social media experience by inviting them to proactively engage with positive and inspiring content on their feeds.
“As a customer-focused brand, LG is a passionate champion of optimism. We aim to create positive changes in people’s lives by being intentional with our positive activities both online and in the real world,” said Kim Hyo-eun, vice president and head of LG’s Brand Management Division. “In the AI era, LG remains committed to our unwavering promise of ‘Life’s Good.’ We will continue to enhance our customers’ lives with a human-centric approach, fostering hope for a better future.”
A new global survey commissioned by LG found that social media is both a source of anxiety and a place where people turn to be entertained, keep up with friends and family, and stay informed about news and current events. According to the survey, almost half of respondents (45 percent) report their social media feeds consist of an equal or greater amount of negative content than positive content. One in four respondents (28 percent) claimed negative content on their social media feeds has increased their anxiety and one in five (20 percent) said it has made them unhappy.
link hidden, please login to view also suggest that algorithms often promote negative and niche conversations. The global survey sought to understand the triggers that affect how algorithms work and how to increase your feed’s positive content. The result is the ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist of original content that, when interacted with, will pull more optimistic content into your feed.* ‘Optimism your feed’ is part of LG’s global , introduced last year to inspire and encourage people to approach life with an optimistic attitude.
Created in collaboration with global influencers renowned for their optimistic influences including , , and more, the ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist includes over 20 short-form videos ranging from motivation to feel-good content.
Additionally, LG is consulting with social media experts including Professor , an information scientist and technology ethicist, with a PhD in Human Centered Computing. Fiesler researches and teaches in the areas of technology ethics, internet policy and online communities, and has published on topics such as social media content moderation and recommender systems. She also educates the public on these topics as a content creator.
Social media has become an integral part of our lives, and algorithms play a significant role in the content that we see in these spaces. LG’s global playlist and campaign gives users the opportunity to see more positive and uplifting posts. By being more conscious about what we choose to engage with, we can bring stronger optimism, balance and happiness to our lives.
According to Fiesler, “Recommendation algorithms determine what we see on social media by predicting what content we are likely to engage with. These algorithms can therefore send us down ever more specific niches – for good and for bad. Research has shown that left unchecked, users can go down negative rabbit holes and encounter harmful content quite quickly. One of our first lines of defense needs to be improving our digital literacy, and paying more attention to how algorithms influence our online experiences. And the good news is that we do have some control over the input for these algorithmic predictions; if we choose to engage with optimistic content, there’s a good possibility we will see more of it.”
Victoria Browne, a global influencer and TEDx Talk speaker, said, “The algorithms on our social channel can have a big impact on the content we see online, which impacts our mental health. That’s why I’m passionate about ‘Optimism your feed’, and I hope that people use this playlist as a foundation to retrain their algorithm and encourage positivity in all aspects of their lives. So much of the stigma and difficulty of tackling mental health is that it is unseen. With this campaign, we are saying you should reach out to your friends, and that we can help each other. Our algorithm should recommend content that makes us feel more connected to people, not less.”
The ‘Optimism your feed’ playlist can be found on LG’s global TikTok channel and global YouTube channel , and will later spread to various social media platforms through collaborations with influencers around the world. More details can be found on the campaign page on .
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* According to a global survey conducted by Dynata on behalf of LG in 2024.
Survey Methodology
Timings: Fieldwork conducted from April 26 to May 2, 2024
Countries: USA, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, France, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Vietnam, South Korea, India, Australia
Age: People between 22 and 65 years old and weekly TikTok or Instagram users
Sample Size: 400 respondents in the USA, 200 respondents in the rest of the markets
Method: Quantitative questionnaire online survey through Dynata’s proprietary panel
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