LG Innotek Expands UV LED Applications

LG Innotek announced that it began full-scale production of its "UV LED module for water purifier faucet sterilization" at its Paju plant late last month. This product was installed in LG Electronics' "PuriCare Slim Up-Down" direct-flow water purifier, which was released last month.

The water purifier faucet is the part that dispenses water, much like a faucet. It's vulnerable to contamination due to air inflow and other factors that can easily breed bacteria. However, its narrow interior made it difficult to install a sterilizing device. To address this issue, LG Innotek developed a UV LED module tailored to the water purifier faucet.

LG Innotek's UV LED module directly sterilizes the water inside a faucet with ultraviolet light. Measuring 1.5 cm wide and 3.7 cm tall, this product can be installed inside a faucet. The UV LED module sterilizes solely with ultraviolet light, without the use of chemicals or heavy metals. Exposing a faucet to UV light for five minutes eliminates 99.98% of bacteria. This sterilization effect is achieved with a wavelength of 278 nanometers (nm).

Additionally, it can control ultraviolet rays quickly and precisely with an advanced light source made of semiconductor elements. The sterilization function activates immediately, emitting UV rays at maximum performance, eliminating the need for preheating. LG Electronics' PuriCare water purifier allows users to instantly sterilize the faucet whenever they need by pressing the "Self-Care" button, and features an automatic sterilization system that sterilizes every hour.

LG Innotek plans to actively expand the applications of its UV LEDs. In addition to its 280nm UV-C LED for sterilization, the company has already secured a product lineup optimized for each application, including 365nm, 385nm, 395nm, and 405nm UV-A LEDs for general industrial use, and 305nm UV-B LEDs for biomedical applications.

Jeong Ho-rim, Senior Managing Director of LED Marketing, said, “Using UV LED, we can increase the value of finished products and provide smarter care for users’ health,” and added, “We will continue to introduce innovative products that are more convenient and safe.”