Korean resource recycling and raw material regeneration company LD Carbon(LDC Co.) has successfully raised 40 billion KRW in a Series C investment round. This round was led by Woven Capital, Toyota’s investment arm, with participation from Meritz Securities, Investwith, the Industrial Bank of Korea(IBK), Hyundai Motor’s Zer01ne, Elohim Partners, and New Main Capital.

LD Carbon’s main product is recycled carbon black(rCB), produced by extracting raw materials from waste tires. Carbon black is primarily used in tires, rubber compounds, and inks to enhance their physical and electrical properties.

Traditional carbon black, made from petroleum, generates 25 million tons of carbon dioxide annually during its production. Additionally, 28% of waste tires that are not recycled are incinerated, releasing an extra 16 million tons of carbon dioxide each year—an amount equivalent to the annual emissions of over 9 million passenger cars.

In contrast, LD Carbon’s process reduces the greenhouse gases produced during waste tire incineration by pyrolyzing the waste tires. Using patented technology, they separate and produce rCB and pyrolysis oil, significantly reducing carbon dioxide emissions compared to traditional carbon black manufacturing processes. The rCB and pyrolysis oil produced are supplied to tire manufacturers and refineries, helping to reduce their carbon dioxide emissions and petroleum resource usage, thus contributing to greater sustainability.

With this investment, LD Carbon plans to build new facilities utilizing resource recycling and pyrolysis technology. These new facilities will aim to produce rCB and pyrolysis oil from waste tires and end-of-life vehicles, and supply these products back to the tire and automotive industries.

Currently, LD Carbon produces over 7,000 tons of rCB annually through its factory in Gimcheon, Gyeongsangbuk-do, supplying major tire and rubber product manufacturers. By the end of this year, the company aims to complete the largest tire pyrolysis plant in Asia, located in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do. This plant will have the capacity to process 50,000 tons of waste tires annually into 20,000 tons of pyrolysis oil and 18,000 tons of rCB.

Prashant Bothra of Woven Capital, who led the investment, stated, “LD Carbon is a company that can solve the complex chemical challenges faced by manufacturers seeking sustainability across the automotive supply chain. By expanding large-scale plants based on proven technology, they are focusing on maximizing the production of high-performance rCB and reducing production costs, thereby significantly enhancing the added value compared to traditional carbon black. As a leading rCB manufacturer in Asia, LD Carbon is expected to play a crucial role in a sustainable future, keeping pace with carbon dioxide emission reduction regulations and industry changes.”

Sungmoon Baek, CEO and Co-Representative of LD Carbon, remarked, “Our goal at LD Carbon is to significantly improve the sustainability of the automotive industry while reducing associated costs. With this Series C investment, we can better assist global OEMs in producing sustainable vehicles.” He added, “We will continue to contribute to the sustainability of the automotive and related industries, and produce products that meet increasingly stringent performance standards.”