China's Suning Appliance is partnering with South Korea's LG Group to develop 'green' household appliances for the Chinese market, which includes products based on LG's energy-saving technology, reports Trading Markets. The partnership also includes promotion and marketing of the green appliances.
In April, LG Group announced it was investing $18 million by 2020 to cut the company's greenhouse gas emissions, develop energy-saving devices and evaluate "green" energy businesses. The company also said it would meet its goal of reducing greenhouse gas emission by 40 percent, cutting water use by 30 percent, and lowering electricity use by 45 percent this year.
LG Electronics claims its third-generation, environmentally-friendly linear compressor is the world's most energy-efficient fridge technology.
China has implemented an energy-savings program in the household appliances industry as part of its overall strategy to reduce carbon emissions.
Suning is said to be one of the first household appliances retailers in the country to promote green products. The company's sales of high-efficiency and energy-saving air conditioners account for more than 60 percent of the total sales under the government-initiated energy-saving program, according to the article.
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke recently said the U.S. could fall behind China in the race to develop green energy technologies. Some of the reasons cited include a lack of a carbon tax, renewable energy standards, and sufficient energy transmission infrastructure.
In November last year, both countries agreed to an U.S.-China Energy Efficiency Action Plan to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances.
