LG Electronics has committed to replacing conventional magnesium used in its mobile phones to a more environmentally friendly magnesium alloy dubbed eco-magnesium. To be rolled out by 2012, this would effectively reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 4kg for every handset manufactured.

"Eco-magnesium is one of LG's key strategies in our ongoing effort to transform LG into a leader in more environmentally responsible manufacturing," President and Chief Technology Officer Skott Ahn said in a statement.

LG claims that almost no sulphur hexafluoride, which is used in the casting of magnesium and which LG cites as one of the most potent greenhouse gases, is created during production.

LG, which research company IDC says is the world's third-largest phone maker in terms of unit sales after Nokia and Samsung, has already removed lead, cadmium, nickel, halogen substances, and other EU RoHS materials from its production of mobile phones. Standby power has also been reduced in portable chargers, and a reminder feature lets users know when the handset is fully charged.

The eco-magnesium alloy was developed by the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology with funding from the Korean government. Korean-based firms HK High-Tech, Keumgang Coen, and Hallacast have signed a memorandum of understanding with LG to produce the eco-magnesium alloy. As part of the agreement, the chaebol will provide these companies with technological support and training in carbon credit trading.

LG shipped 27.5 million handsets globally and had a market share of 6.6 percent in the third quarter of 2010, according to a recent report from information technology research and advisory company Gartner.

(Source: Crave Asia)