Further Topics Archive - Page 14 of 23 - MPR Korea Certification

Hyundai Engineering plans to produce hydrogen from plastic waste

Hyundai Engineering Co, the construction unit of South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Group, is investing the equivalent of $336 million to build a plant to produce hydrogen from plastic waste. The factory in Dangjin, South Chungcheong Province, is scheduled to break ground in the first half of 2022, with commercial operation in 2024. Hyundai Engineering expects to complete and test the technology needed to produce high-purity clean hydrogen from plastic waste by the end of 2021. Once completed, the factory is expected to be able to produce 22,000 metric tons of hydrogen per year from 100,000 metric tons of plastic waste. This would allow 150,000 hydrogen vehicles to travel 14,000 kilometers each. Hydrogen tanks and other similar pressure vessels usually require KGS factory approval to be approved for the Korean market.

In addition, the company is testing CO₂ capture and storage systems at Hyundai Steel Co.’s Incheon steel plant for plastic waste processing technology. Hyundai Engineering’s recent efforts in environmental protection are part of the company’s policy for sustainable growth. The company plans to go public to finance environmentally friendly projects such as plastic recycling and the generation of hydrogen from ammonia. Hyundai Engineering, which has not previously been listed on the stock exchange, expects to raise the equivalent of more than $1 billion. Trading of the shares is expected to begin in March 2022. Active in the construction of factories, housing and infrastructure, Hyundai Engineering reported an operating profit of the equivalent of $207.6 million in 2020. Construction of factories and infrastructure account for 45.5 percent of Hyundai Engineering’s total business. KGS factory approval for certain gas and pressure equipment was introduced to ensure that only manufacturers that meet certain quality and safety requirements are allowed to export their products to Korea. The main objective of KGS Factory Approval is to prevent accidents caused by equipment that does not meet Korean standards or is imported by unapproved manufacturers. Therefore, the authority requires verification of production processes and quality assurance before products are allowed to enter Korea. We understand that KGS factory approval can be a complex hurdle for you. MPR International GmbH offers you a complete package for KGS Korea certification, where you will receive optimal support. You will be assigned a personal contact person who will be available at all times to answer any questions you may have. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Small excavator from Doosan Bobcat unveiled with transparent OLED display from LG

Construction equipment manufacturer Doosan Bobcat Inc, a subsidiary of South Korean conglomerate Doosan Group, recently unveiled the future of excavators at CES 2022 in the form of the E35e electric-powered mini-excavator with a transparent OLED display in the front windshield. A prototype developed in collaboration with the world’s only transparent OLED manufacturer LG Display Co. displays various information on the front windshield via augmented reality (AR). Products like these, which have electronic and other components, require KCs certification to be imported into South Korea.

With the novel technology, the operator of the E35e can view the surroundings and the condition of the construction site during operation while using the front windshield as a large touchscreen with AR functions. It is even possible to remotely control the excavator itself, or other excavators present on the job site, via the touchscreen or other mobile devices. The new excavator model has also been made safer to work in, with a large front screen and no distracting controls such as levers or pedals. If Doosan Bobcat decides to go into volume production of the E35e, it is expected that LG Display will supply the transparent OLED display. LG Display’s transparent OLED (organic light emitting diode) displays use technology that maximizes the ability of OLEDs to emit light without additional backlighting. Large transparent OLED displays are currently manufactured worldwide only by LG Display. Starting mass production of its transparent displays in 2019, LG Display’s 55-inch screen using OLED technology had a transparency of 40 percent. In comparison, glass has a transparency of 70 percent. Demand for transparent OLED displays is growing steadily, and this type of screen is being used in shopping malls, museums and subways. According to the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the global market for transparent OLEDs will grow increasingly. The experts predict a market value of $840 million in 2022, which could reach $2.47 billion in 2025 and as much as $9.9 billion in 2030. In addition to Doosan Bobcat, other companies also introduced products with transparent OLED displays. Avikus, an offshoot of Hyundai Heavy Industries that specializes in navigation systems for autonomous vehicles, showcased a self-driving boat with a transparent OLED display. KCs certification was established to ensure basic safety in the design and manufacture of hazardous machinery and protective equipment in hazardous workplaces in Korea. The goal is to protect the health and safety of workers by preventing accidents. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Massage chair manufacturer Bodyfriend was in the spotlight at CES 2022

South Korean company Bodyfriend Co, the world’s largest massage chair manufacturer, was in the spotlight at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas due to the absence of well-known names and oversized displays. A chair with functions for checking heart functions led to long queues of interested visitors at Bodyfriend’s booth. The company participated in CES for the fifth time and exhibited a total of nine functional massage chairs. Visitors were enthusiastic about the new models, which provide information about the user’s body such as heart condition, body composition, blood pressure and even ECG, among other things. Most products like these, which have electronic and other components, require KC certification to be imported into South Korea.

The “Phantom Medical Heart” uses four electrodes on the legs and arms to measure a 6-channel ECG, which is analyzed by an AI and provides early indications of illness. The “Da Vinci” will be launched in the first half of 2022 and can determine the composition of the body. Seven parameters such as muscle mass, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) and other data can be determined by the sensors. The information can be stored and viewed on the included tablet PC. The Pharaoh O2 model, which won the CES 2002 Innovation Award, has an oxygen function. Users can inhale oxygen during massage, which comes from a medical oxygen generator. The “Elizabeth Medical” chair measures blood pressure and offers appropriate massages for it. Another novelty is the “Phantom Rovo,” a robot-like massage chair that allows the massage of the user’s legs to be adjusted independently. With this function, it is possible to receive different massages on the respective leg. Manufacturer Bodyfriend has invested approximately $66 million in research and development over the past five years to become a digital health provider. The company plans to invest a research budget of about $16.5 million annually in the future. South Korea is considered one of the most important and innovative industrialized nations in the world. In order to gain market access to this highly technological country, products imported into South Korea must be tested and certified. The KC mark or KC certificate is roughly equivalent to the European CE mark and applies to 730 different products. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

POSCO brings neon gas production and related technology to South Korea

POSCO, a conglomerate, has established the first neon gas production facility in South Korea. Neon is a noble gas and is required for the production of semiconductors. POSCO celebrated the completion of the plant within the oxygen factory of the Gwangyang Steelworks complex on Jan. 12. “Local production of neon gas has been a long-held desire,” said Yoo Byung-ok, head of POSCO’s industrial gases and hydrogen business. “With the commissioning of the plant, we have been able to reduce South Korea’s dependence on foreign imports of rare gases and stabilize the domestic supply chain,” Byung-ok added. In Korea, approvals for such gases have been carried out since 1992, under which KCs certificates are issued for explosion-proof products.

The rapid growth of the semiconductor market is boosting demand for noble gases such as neon (Ne), xenon (Xe) and krypton (Kr), which are indispensable for semiconductor production. Industry experts expect the domestic South Korean market to increase from $130 million in 2020 to $228 million in 2023, with a compound annual growth rate of 20 percent. Currently, the Korean semiconductor industry is 100 percent dependent on noble gas imports. Neon is a noble gas that makes up only 0.00182 percent of ambient air. It is one of the raw materials for gas lasers (excimer lasers) used in the lithography process in semiconductor manufacturing. Attempts have been made in the past to bring the production of neon gas to South Korea, but they failed because of dependence on foreign technology to produce it. POSCO’s just-completed plant can produce about 22,000 cubic meters of high-purity neon gas annually. This could meet about 16 percent of domestic demand. POSCO already conducted a test run of the neon gas plant for quality control at the end of 2021, and commercial operation is scheduled to start in 2022. We offer certification services for all product areas, including KC certification for consumer products and especially electronics, KC-EMC certification for electronic products and KCs certification for machinery, as well as KCs for explosion-proof products. We are at your disposal for all questions regarding Korea certifications. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Groundbreaking ceremony for new LG Chem cathode material plant in Gumi, South Korea

LG Chem broke ground on the world’s largest cathode material production facility on 11 January 2022 in Gumi, North Gyeongsang Province. The company is investing the equivalent of US$417 billion to build the plant, which will supply cathode material to LG Energy Solutions. LG Chem is the largest shareholder of LG Energy Solutions with 80 per cent. The annual production capacity is said to be 60,000 tonnes per year. This makes the plant the world’s largest production facility for cathode material. With the amount produced, batteries for up to 500,000 EVs can be manufactured annually. The LG Chem factory in Gumi produces cathodes from nickel, cobalt, manganese and aluminium. Batteries with these cathodes have a high energy density and a nickel content of up to 90 percent. Based on the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Korea Occupational Safety and Health Agency (KOSHA) requires KCs Ex certification of explosion-proof electrical components.

Raw materials for cathodes such as nickel, lithium and cobalt could become scarce in the future. Therefore, global battery manufacturers are trying to bring their cathode production in-house. Currently, LG Chem has an annual capacity of 80,000 tonnes for cathode material. The company produces cathode material at three domestic plants in Cheongju, Gumi and Iksan. Outside South Korea, it operates a joint plant with Huayu Cobalt in Wuxi, China. LG Chem plans to expand its cathode material production by 225 per cent by 2026, including plants in Europe and the US. The subsidiary LG Energy Solutions is estimated to have produced batteries with a capacity of 150 GWh in 2021. These could be used to equip around 2.25 million EVs. By 2025, it plans to expand production capacity to 400 GWh, LG Energy Solutions said. Approvals in the Ex area have been carried out in Korea since 1992. KCs certification was introduced to ensure basic safety in the design and manufacture of hazardous machinery and protective equipment in hazardous workplaces in Korea. The aim is to protect the health and safety of workers by preventing accidents. We offer certification services for all product areas, including KC certification for consumer products and especially electronics, KC-EMV certification for electronic products and KCs certification for machinery, as well as KCs for explosion-proof products. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications: Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Hyundai Oilbank plans to build new power plant powered by natural gas and hydrogen

South Korean refiner Hyundai Oilbank Co. is planning to build an environmentally friendly power plant that will run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen. This is to meet the growing electricity demand of the Hyundai Oilbank refinery in Daesan, South Korea. The company announced on 22 December 2021 that it is investing US$335.4 million to build the new power plant. After completion and commissioning in 2025, the plant will be able to generate 230 tonnes of steam per hour as well as 290 megawatts of electricity. The fuel will be a mix of 70 percent natural gas (LNG) and 30 percent blue hydrogen (i.e. from fossil sources). Gas and pressure equipment from the power generation sector often require KGS factory approval to be approved for the Korean market.

Mixed combustion of natural gas and hydrogen is a step towards CO₂ neutrality for Hyundai Oilbank, CEO Kang Dal-ho told Korea Economic Daily. “Power plants that burn natural gas already emit 56 per cent less climate-damaging emissions. By blending hydrogen, emissions can be reduced by another 11 per cent,” Kang Dal-ho said. The new power plant will supply steam and electricity for Hyundai Oilbank’s own facilities as well as for other companies in the Daesan industrial area such as Hyundai Chemical, Hyundai and Shell Base Oil. The Daesan Industrial Estate will require more energy in the future due to the expansion and commissioning of new plants such as the “Hyundai Chemical heavy feed petrochemical complex (HPC)”. To ensure power supply, Hyundai Oilbank established Hyundai E&F subsidiary in June 2021 and got permission to generate electricity and steam. Hyundai E&F’s plants are expected to meet more than half of the Daesan Industrial Estate’s energy needs, with Hyundai Oilbank being the largest consumer of electricity, accounting for 70 per cent. Previously, the refinery had produced some of the energy it needed itself in the form of steam and electricity. The Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) is a government organisation under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). Gas safety regulations in Korea began in 1974 with the passage of the Compressed Gas Control Act. In 1995, the Institute of High Pressure Gas Safety was established, and after several restructurings, the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) was established in 2001. One year later, KGS was affiliated to MOTIE. KGS was accredited as a Korean Notified Body in 2006 and also accredited to conduct KCs certification and testing of explosion-proof electrical equipment. We offer certification services for all product areas, including KC certification for consumer products and especially electronics, KC EMC certification for electronic products and KCs certification for machinery, as well as KCs for explosion-proof products. We are at your disposal for all questions regarding Korea certifications. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Doosan Robotics sets sights on US$10 billion “cobot” market

South Korea’s Doosan Group is aiming to become a major player in the market for so-called “cobots” – robots that work directly with or assist humans – with its latest robotics division. At CES2022 in Las Vegas, Doosan already presented robots that can pick and pack apples and provide musical assistance to a drummer. The production of robots depends on numerous components and production machines, which usually require KC certification and KCs certification for their approval for the Korean market.

Doosan Robotics describes itself as the leading manufacturer of robots in South Korea. The Korea Economic Daily recently reported on a visit to a Doosan robotics factory. They were received by the factory manager Han Ki-Jong, who explained the differences between cobots and industrial robots. For example, cobots are lighter and safer than conventional robots, Ki-Jong said. The added safety is made possible by a special system that allows the cobot to constantly monitor its surroundings, so it can never get too close to the human worker. Doosan Robotics says its cobots have a margin of error of only 0.1 mm, allowing them to perform fine work comparable to human hands. The latest product, an H-series cobot, can lift or move up to 25 kg and weighs only 75 kg with a working radius of 1.7 metres. Doosan Robotics was established back in 2015 and started producing robots in October 2017, with a turnover of $16.8 million in 2020, making a small contribution to the Doosan Group’s total revenue. The robotics division is a wholly owned subsidiary of Doosan Corp, the group’s holding company. According to analysts, the market for cobots is still in its early stages with plenty of room for further growth. The Californian market researchers M&M Global Marketing expect the cobot market to grow from last year’s US$ 1.2 billion to US$ 10.5 billion in 2027. M&M sees the annual growth rate at 43 percent. A major advantage of cobots is their broad range of applications. Unlike fixed industrial robots, cobots can also be used in logistics, medicine and in the service sector such as hotels and restaurants. In the latter case, Doosan Robotics entered into a cooperation with Kyochon F&B. The company is one of the most popular franchisors in South Korea, for which Doosan developed a cobot to prepare fried chicken. Last year, Doosan Robotics passed the 1,000 cobot sales mark. 70 per cent of sales were in North America and Europe, putting Doosan in the global top 5 of cobot manufacturers. Based on 2020 business figures, Doosan is the market leader in cobots in South Korea with 21 per cent. Globally, however, its market share is only 7 per cent. Universal Robots from Denmark dominates the global market with more than 50 per cent. To gain market access, products imported into South Korea must be tested and certified. The KC mark or certificate is roughly equivalent to the European CE mark and applies to 730 different products. MPR International GmbH has solid experience in Korea certification and competent local partners. We will be pleased to advise you without obligation about the scope and procedure of a Korea certification. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Hyundai Motor works on new car developed exclusively in virtual space

South Korea’s largest carmaker Hyundai Motor Co. is using virtual reality (VR) to design and test its new car model before the start of mass production to save costs during the development process. According to automotive industry sources, Hyundai Motor recently began a project to virtually develop a new model. Hyundai has already been using VR technology in the design of its cars since 2019. Now, for the first time, VR technology will be used exclusively to build a prototype and during the testing phase before a physical pre-production vehicle is built. Hyundai started the novel development process in 2020 and has since continuously improved and integrated it into its operations. This allows the carmaker to increase quality and efficiency in design. According to its own figures, Hyundai saves 20 per cent development time and reduces annual costs by 15 per cent with the VR technology. Production equipment and components for modern development equipment, like most electronics, requires KC certification for electronic products in order to be approved and distributed in Korea.

Nevertheless, some experts doubt the reliability of a virtual prototype and fear an increase in research and development costs. Hyundai, on the other hand, believes that VR technology can shorten the usual four to five years it takes to develop a new vehicle. Specifically, Hyundai is talking about the new vehicle model being ready for the market after 2025. The name of the vehicle is being kept secret by Hyundai so far. Other vehicle manufacturers also use VR technology in the development of new models: Volvo uses computer simulations for its vehicle safety, Volkswagen has been using virtual reality in vehicle production since 2018. South Korea is considered one of the most important and innovative industrial nations in the world. To gain market access to this highly technological country, products imported into South Korea must be tested and certified. The KC mark or certificate is roughly equivalent to the European CE mark and applies to 730 different products. MPR International GmbH has solid experience in Korea certification and competent local partners. We will be pleased to advise you without obligation about the scope and procedure of a Korea certification. Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration. Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261 Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673 Email: info@korea-certification.com Urgent questions? Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings). For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

South Korea still heavily dependent on wind turbine imports

Back in February 2021, South Korea declared that it would become one of the world’s top five players in offshore wind turbines. However, it was recently revealed that the country continues to import much of the technology or turbines and South Korean companies are finding it difficult to compete with imports. According to experts, this is due to the government’s hurried implementation of energy and environmental targets instead of proceeding in steps. According to figures from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, the share of domestically produced wind turbines fell by 12 per cent to 58.4 per cent from a figure of 70.4 per cent in 2016, while the market share of imported turbines rose from 29.6 per cent to 87.8 per cent at present during the same period. Many components and production equipment required for wind turbine manufacturing must undergo KC certification or KCs certification to be approved in Korea.

In particular, the market share of key components such as wind turbine blades and generators from domestic production was only 34 per cent in the first quarter of 2021, while for complete turbines around half of all components come from South Korea. In the period from 2016 to 2019, the number of companies from South Korea operating in the wind turbine sector also fell from 28 to 18, while the number of employees decreased from 1,718 to 1,545. Instead, many companies decided to move abroad, which is also illustrated by the figures for sales generated abroad. For example, from 2016 to 2019, this figure more than doubled to KRW 811.8 billion from KRW 348.9 billion.

Currently, 74 per cent of South Korea’s wind turbine technology is in the hands of leading industrial companies. For suppliers, the figure is between 60 and 90 per cent. These companies are already capable of producing wind turbines with a capacity of 8 MW and are working on 10 MW turbines. Local companies, on the other hand, produce 5 MW turbines and are developing 8 MW turbines. Companies from the European Union and China have been able to reduce their turbine prices for offshore wind turbines by KRW 200 million (USD 166,300) per MW in the past two years by further developing the technology. On the other hand, prices from South Korean manufacturers remained almost unchanged over the identical period.

South Korea is considered one of the most important and innovative industrial nations in the world. In order to gain market access to this highly technological country, products imported into South Korea must be tested and certified. The KC mark or certificate is roughly equivalent to the European CE mark and applies to 730 different products. MPR International GmbH has solid experience in Korea certification and competent local partners. We will be pleased to advise you without obligation about the scope and procedure of a Korea certification.

Feel free to contact us any time if you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.

Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261
Tel. US: +1 773 654-2673

Email: info@korea-certification.com

Urgent questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact us via chat. You will find the chat window at the bottom right of each page (if this is not visible, please check your browser settings).

For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.

Gas supplier KOGAS plans transformation into hydrogen technology provider

The Korea Gas Corp. (KOGAS) plans to transform itself from a natural gas supplier into a hydrogen technology provider. The state-owned company made the announcement at a press conference on 27 September 2021 in Daegu, South Korea. According to the president of KOGAS, Chae Hee-bong, about 2.49 million US dollars profit will be generated in the new business field with hydrogen technology by 2030. KOGAS will be transformed from a simple natural gas supplier to a showcase company for hydrogen in South Korea, Hee-bong said at the event. KOGAS plans to produce around 830,000 tonnes of green hydrogen abroad and import it to South Korea by 2030. To this end, green hydrogen will be imported from Australia, Russia and Southeast Asia from 2025. In addition, the installation of 152 hydrogen fuel pumps is planned by 2030. Equipment and machinery needed for technical hydrogen processes and production requires KC certification, KCs certification or KGS certification for many parts in order to be imported to Korea and used in the Korean market.

An existing liquefied gas plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, will be converted into the first climate-neutral hydrogen production plant in South Korea, according to the company. Furthermore, KOGAS is promoting the expansion of renewable energies through wind power plants on Jeju Island. KOGAS has decided to actively develop new business areas beyond the liquefied natural gas business. For example, the refrigeration business with liquefied gas cooling is to be expanded in the “Busan New Port” and in Vietnam. Recently, the Supervisory Board also decided to expand the refrigeration plants in the port “Incheon New Port”. In addition, the company wants to become more involved in new tenders for gas-fired power plants for electricity generation in Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, Malaysia and Indonesia.

If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration, feel free to contact us any time. MPR International GmbH has solid experience in Korea certification and competent local partners. We will be pleased to advise you without obligation about the scope and procedure of a Korea certification.