Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics are gearing up for the development of graphene-based components to improve the durability and energy efficiency of their products such as semiconductors and home appliances, according to a report by Korean medium Chosun Biz.
Graphene can endure temperatures of 200–300°C and features a hardness 200 times stronger than steel and an electricity conductivity faster than copper. Graphene also has an ultra-low resistivity, allowing it to improve the durability of electronic products when being adopted as a material. When used within semiconductors, it can enhance energy efficiency.
The report notes that both Korean companies are keen on graphene-related investments with Samsung Venture Investment's New Technology Investment Association Fund Profile (SVIC 56) having recently acquired around 252,900 stocks in Korean-based new material company Graphene Square.
Some market observers believe Samsung Electronics is using the investment to strengthen the adoption of graphene in its home appliances. Samsung has also been developing graphene materials for semiconductors to reduce their resistivity since 2020, the report said.
LG Electronics signed contracts with Graphene Square as early as 2020 and is currently focusing on developing graphene components for electric vehicles (EVs). At Nano Korea 2022, LG also showcased home appliances made partly from graphene to show their latest progress in related studies.
LG used graphene in its flagship earbuds, the Tone Free in 2022 to strengthen the wearable's audio clarity.
Research firm Mordor Intelligence also forecast that the global graphene market will see its scale rise from 2023's KRW1.5 trillion (US$1.26 billion) to 2028's KRW6.16 trillion, the report added.
Article translated by Joseph Tsai
