Body › Exterior & Structural

Engineering Materials

Exterior Materials That Maximize Safety, Efficiency, and Design Value

Overview

Automotive exterior parts do far more than simply cover the body. They absorb impact during driving to protect passengers, withstand extreme conditions such as severe cold or high heat without deformation, and deliver precision molding that elevates design quality and reinforces brand value. At the same time, manufacturers demand sustainability and efficiency throughout the production process.

LG Chem’s advanced engineering materials provide a comprehensive solution to these challenges. Our high-performance material portfolio combines lightweight design, durability, premium surface quality, and sustainability—delivering new value for both OEMs and end consumers.

Why LG Chem’s Engineering Materials?

Impact Protection & Structural Stability

  • • Minimizes damage from external impacts with high impact strength and stiffness
  • • Enhances crash safety and structural reliability

Lightweight Efficiency

  • • Reduces vehicle weight and improves fuel economy with low-density materials
  • • Extends EV driving range and increases energy efficiency

Durability in Extreme Environments

  • • Maintains material stability in high heat, severe cold, and UV exposure
  • • Minimizes quality deformation over long-term use

Design Freedom & Premium Aesthetics

  • • High flow enables precise molding of complex geometries
  • • Premium exterior enabled by diverse surface finishes such as high-gloss and low-gloss

Sustainable Solution

  • • Offers material options including PCR, Bio Based, Bio Circular Balanced
  • • Supports ESG initiatives and strengthens sustainable brand positioning

Bumper Module

Application Areas

Customer Value

Improved Fuel/Electric Efficiency through Lightweighting

Reduces vehicle weight by using materials lighter than metal, improving EV driving range and fuel efficiency

Enhanced Collision Safety

Ensures passenger safety by effectively absorbing energy during external impacts due to high-impact and high-rigidity properties

Realization of Premium Design Quality

Delivers sophisticated designs by enabling complex shapes and high-gloss exteriors through high flowability and excellent plateability

Improved OEM Production Efficiency

Facilitates process simplification and mass production with excellent injection moldability and plating suitability

Key Features

PA(LUMID), PC(LUPOY)

PropertyDetails
Lightweight DesignReduced density compared to metal for overall vehicle weight reduction
High Impact & High RigidityAbsorbs external impacts and enhances structural stability
High FlowabilityEnables uniform molding of complex shapes and thin walls
Plating CapabilityDelivers consistent surface quality and high-gloss finish, supports diverse color options
Environmental ResistanceMaintains quality without deformation or cracking under temperature and humidity variations

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PC/ABS
  • ABS/M-PCR PC
  • M-PCR PC/Si-PC

Head Lamp

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Achieves a premium appearance with excellent surface quality
  • Ensures dimensional stability for precise assembly and consistent optical performance
  • Enables accurate molding of complex shapes thanks to high-flow characteristics
  • Provides durability with strong impact resistance even in low-temperature environments
  • Maintains quality over long-term use with UV and heat stability

Key Features

PC(LUPOY), PA66(LUMID), PP Compound(LUPOL), PBT(LUPOX, LUMAX)

PropertyDetails
Excellent Surface QualityHigh gloss and premium appearance
Dimensional StabilityPrecise assembly and optical consistency
Low-Temperature Impact ResistanceDurable even in harsh cold environments
High FlowabilityAccurate molding of complex shapes
Heat & UV StabilityMaintains quality under heat and UV exposure

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PC
  • C-PCR PBT
  • M-PCR PA6-GF
  • M-PCR PBT/ASA-GF

Side Mirror

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Improves fuel efficiency and EV performance through lightweight design
  • Enhances safety by minimizing damage from external impacts
  • Reduces vibration for stable and clear visibility
  • Enables diverse designs with precise assembly accuracy

Key Features

PA66(LUMID)

PropertyDetails
LightweightImproves efficiency by reducing vehicle weight
High Impact ResistancePrevents damage from external impacts
High RigiditySuppresses vibration and ensures structural stability
Precision MoldabilityEnables complex shape implementation

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PC/ABS
  • ABS/M-PCR PC
  • M-PCR PA-GF

Wiper

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Stable operation without damage from impacts
  • Performance maintained despite rain, UV rays, and temperature changes
  • Enables slim and sophisticated designs

Key Features

PBT(LUPOX)

PropertyDetails
Impact ResistancePrevents damage from external shocks
WeatherabilityDurable against UV rays, moisture, and temperature changes
High StrengthEnsures structural stability over long-term use
Precision MoldabilityAllows for the creation of slim and intricate shapes

Wheel

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Stability without vibration, even during high-speed driving
  • Long-term use without damage from external impacts
  • Lightweight design improves EV driving range
  • Achieves a luxurious appearance and precision molding

Key Features

PA66(LUMID)

PropertyDetails
LightweightImproves energy efficiency by reducing vehicle weight
High Impact ResistancePrevents damage from external impacts
Dimensional StabilityMaintains secure assembly even at high speeds
Excellent Surface QualityDelivers high-gloss finish and precise molding

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PA/PPO
  • M-PCR PC/ABS

Door

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Improves fuel economy and extends EV driving range through lightweighting
  • Extends product lifespan with UV stability and high impact strength
  • Achieves a premium design with a high-gloss exterior
  • Maintains stable performance even in high-temperature environments

Key Features

PA6,PA66(LUMID) PBT(LUPOX, LUMAX), mPPE(LUMILOY), PP Compound(LUPOL), Styrenics Reinforced(LUPOS), PC(LUPOY), TPC-ET(KEYFLEX)

PropertyDetails
LightweightImproves fuel efficiency by reducing weight
UV StabilityPrevents discoloration and degradation from ultraviolet rays
Excellent Surface QualityCreates a high-gloss, uniform appearance
High Impact StrengthEnsures safety with a structure resistant to impact
High Heat ResistanceMaintains material properties in high-temperature environments

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PC/ABS
  • M-PCR PC/PBT
  • Bio based TPEE

Roof Rack

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Enhances load stability with high rigidity and impact resistance
  • Achieves harmonious vehicle design through dimensional stability and design flexibility
  • Reduces vehicle weight and improves fuel efficiency through lightweight design
  • Supports lightweight vehicle design through low-density materials

Key Features

PA6(LUMID), PP Compound(LUPOL), PBT(LUPOX), PC(LUPOY)

PropertyDetails
LightweightImproves fuel efficiency and transport efficiency by reducing weight
Dimensional StabilityMaintains shape despite changes in heat and external environment
High StiffnessEnhances durability by securing structural strength
High Impact StrengthStrengthens safety with impact-resistant materials
Low DensityAllows for suitable material choices for lightweight design
High Heat ResistanceMaintains stable performance in high-temperature environments

Sustainable Solution

M-PCR PA6-GF/MF

Sunroof

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Maintains structural stability during opening and closing
  • Enables implementation of various designs
  • Ensures long-term quality with UV stability
  • Enhances luxury feel and durability with a low-gloss surface

Key Features

PA66(LUMID), PP Compound(LUPOL), PBT(LUPOX), PC(LUPOY)

PropertyDetails
UV StabilityPrevents discoloration and degradation from UV rays
ResilienceMaintains shape recovery after repeated openings and closings
High Impact StrengthEnsures stability without breaking upon impact
LightweightImproves fuel efficiency and optimizes structure by reducing weight
Dimensional StabilityMaintains shape despite changes in heat and external environments
High StiffnessEnhances durability by securing structural strength
Low-Gloss SurfaceResists scratches and contamination while providing a luxurious look

Tail Light

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Maintains quality even under high-temperature and UV exposure
  • Enables diverse designs through precision molding
  • Ensures long-term stability without deformation

Key Features

PBT(LUPOX, LUMAX), PA66(LUMID), PP Compound(LUPOL), PC(LUPOY)

PropertyDetails
High Heat ResistanceMaintains properties even under high temperatures
UV StabilityPrevents discoloration and degradation from UV exposure
Excellent Surface QualityAchieves high-gloss and uniform appearance
Dimensional StabilityRetains shape despite heat and environmental changes
High FlowabilityEnables precise molding of complex shapes

Sustainable Solution

  • M-PCR PC/ABS
  • ABS/M-PCR PC
  • M-PCR PC/PET-MF

Trunk & Tail Assembly

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Reduces vehicle weight to improve fuel economy and structural efficiency
  • Ensures quality consistency with dimensional stability and excellent surface quality
  • Achieves a premium design with a high-gloss appearance
  • Improves production efficiency by optimizing the painting process

Key Features

PC(LUPOY)

PropertyDetails
LightweightImproves fuel efficiency and optimizes structure
Dimensional StabilityMaintains shape despite heat and environmental changes
Excellent Surface QualityAchieves high-gloss and uniform appearance
PaintabilityOptimizes painting process, enhancing adhesion and durability

Fuel Door Cover

Application Areas

Customer Value

  • Reduces fire risk by preventing static electricity buildup
  • Enables consistent quality and cost-efficient manufacturing through uniform coating
  • Delivers stable performance even in high-temperature environments
  • Improves fuel efficiency and lowers carbon emissions through lightweight design

Key Features

CNT Compound(LUCON), PP Compound(LUPOL), PBT(LUPOX)

PropertyDetails
ConductivityPrevents static buildup and supports electrostatic painting processes
Electrostatic PaintabilityEnsures uniform paint quality and reduces paint waste
High Heat ResistanceMaintains material properties in high-temperature environments near the engine
LightweightOptimizes structure and improves fuel efficiency
Dimensional StabilityMaintains shape despite thermal and external environmental changes
Excellent Surface QualityAchieves a high-gloss, uniform appearance

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What roles do LG Chem’s engineering materials play in automotive exterior parts?

LG Chem’s engineering materials are applied to a wide range of exterior components such as bumpers, wheels, side mirrors, and headlamps, delivering lightweight design, impact protection, heat and UV stability, and premium surface quality.
This enables OEMs to achieve greater design flexibility and production efficiency, while consumers experience enhanced safety and a refined, premium look.

2. How does lightweighting benefit vehicles?

Using materials lighter than metal reduces vehicle weight, improving fuel economy and EV driving range. It also enables integrated part designs, enhancing assembly efficiency and productivity.

3. What advantages do LG Chem’s exterior materials offer in terms of eco-friendliness and sustainability?

LG Chem applies PCR (Post-Consumer Recycled), Bio Circular-balanced materials to help reduce carbon emissions, meet regulatory requirements, and achieve ESG goals.
This enables OEMs to implement production strategies using recycled and renewable feedstocks, while consumers experience vehicles that embody recycled content and lightweighting benefits.

LG Chem’s Engineering Materials can extend beyond EV into a wide range of mobility sectors.

Beyond EV

UAM

Improves aircraft stability and fuel efficiency with lightweight, high-stiffness materials

Aerospace

Applicable to cabins and exterior parts that require high-temperature and UV stability

Micromobility

Enhances driving efficiency and safety through lightweighting and durability

Mass Transportation

Improves safety and maintenance efficiency with durable exterior materials

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