LG Electronics recently concluded a pilot program for its food waste disposer in collaboration with the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi Province. (Image courtesy of LG Electronics)
SEOUL, Oct. 28 (Korea Bizwire) – Major South Korean electronics manufacturers are preparing to enter the rapidly growing food waste disposer market, currently dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises.
According to industry sources on October 27, LG Electronics recently concluded a pilot program for its food waste disposer in collaboration with the city of Ansan in Gyeonggi Province, and is now analyzing the results.
In August, LG Electronics unveiled its prototype food waste disposer for the first time, providing trial units to approximately 40 households in Ansan apartment complexes. The pilot program aimed to verify the product’s effectiveness by measuring food waste reduction before and after installation.
Based on the trial results, LG Electronics plans to refine the product’s features and launch it next year. Sources indicate the product will likely be introduced through a B2C model linked to LG’s subscription services.
Samsung Electronics filed trademarks for The Zero food waste disposer in 2020 and BESPOKE The Zero in 2022, suggesting internal product development considerations. However, a Samsung spokesperson indicated that while business feasibility studies are ongoing, an imminent product launch is unlikely.
The food waste disposer market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing single-person and dual-income households seeking time-saving solutions, along with rising environmental consciousness. A March consumer trends report by Open Survey found that food waste disposers topped the list of desired home appliance purchases within the next year among consumers aged 20-59, with 49.3% expressing interest.
These devices offer environmental benefits by significantly reducing food waste while eliminating odors and pest problems. Some local governments are promoting their adoption by offering subsidies ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 won per household.
The domestic market is currently dominated by mid-sized companies including SmartCara, Minix, Cuckoo, and Quezone. While some express concerns about large corporations potentially hindering smaller companies’ growth, others see benefits in expanded consumer choice. Industry observers anticipate that increased competition could drive technological innovation and improve overall after-sales service quality across the sector.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
