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
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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.

Tel. Europe: +49-69-271 37 69 261
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LG and Samsung develop EV batteries without cobalt

South Korean battery manufacturers LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI are working on EV batteries without cobalt, according to Business Korea. Competitor SK On, on the other hand, is considering producing iron-phosphate batteries. In this context, Tesla recently announced that it would equip its affordable models with iron-phosphate batteries in the future. Which means, in turn, that more batteries from Chinese manufacturers will be installed for this case. In a statement, LG Energy Solution said that although iron-phosphate batteries are cheap, they have disadvantages in terms of weight, energy density and range. Instead, it is working on alternative low-cost batteries that do not require expensive materials such as cobalt. Materials and production equipment for batteries are among the product categories that largely require KC certification for import and market approval for Korea.

 

 

Currently, iron-phosphate batteries for EVs are mainly produced by Chinese companies such as CATL and BYD. South Korean manufacturers, on the other hand, rely on the relatively expensive nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries. Samsung SDI said in a statement that it would not develop iron-phosphate batteries and would instead look into other technologies that do not require cobalt, like LG Energy Solution. In contrast, SK On announced in early October that it may manufacture iron-phosphate batteries.

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.

If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs or KCs for explosion safety products, feel free to contact us any time.

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Email: info@korea-certification.com

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Hyundai Mobis invests 1.09 billion US dollars in further fuel cell factories

Hyundai Mobis is investing the sum of 1.09 billion US dollars in further production facilities in Incheon and Ulsan for the manufacture of fuel cells. On 7 October 2021, Hyundai Mobis broke ground for a new factory in the High-Tech Industrial Complex of Cheongna International City in Incheon. The two plants in Incheon and Ulsan are expected to produce 100,000 fuel cells annually. Construction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2022. Series production of fuel cells is scheduled to start in the second half of 2023. The plant in Incheon is responsible for the production of the actual fuel cells and sends them to the plant in Ulsan, where the assembly of the modules takes place. Components and production parts for such fuel cells require KC certification to a large extent in order to be approved on the Korean market and to be imported into Korea.

 

Once the two new plants are completed, Hyundai Mobis will have a total of three fuel cell production facilities in South Korea. The company began the world’s first integrated fuel cell production at its Chungju, South Korea facility in 2018. Currently, the capacity of the plant there is 23,000 fuel cell modules annually. Once the Incheon and Ulsan sites come on stream, Hyundai Mobis’ annual capacity will grow to 123,000 modules. This would make Hyundai Mobis the world’s largest producer of fuel cells in terms of production capacity.

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.

If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs or KCs for explosion safety products, feel free to contact us any time.

Tel.: +49-69-2713769259
Email: info@korea-certification.com

Urgent questions?
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South Korean autonomous driving startup 42dot valued at 434 million US dollars

South Korean autonomous driving start-up 42dot attracted investors’ attention with its advanced AI technology. Strategic and financial investors value the start-up at $434 million. In a Series A funding round on 29 October 2021, 42dot raised around US$93.7 million in capital, according to investment banks. Strategic investors included Shinhan Capital, Lotte Rental Co and LIG Nex1 Co, as well as venture capital firms IMM Investment, STIC Ventures and Timewise Investment. 42dot took four months of negotiations to secure the funds. In total, investors have now provided the start-up with US$127.7 million. According to an investment banker, it is unusual for a start-up to secure more than 85 million US dollars in fresh capital within one financing round. The development and production of AI technology is partly dependent on KC certification for relevant electronic parts and similar components.     Generally speaking, investors are currently spending large sums on AI start-ups that have been able to present working prototypes, the investment banker said. Last year, for example, FuriosaAI, a semiconductor startup, and Sendbird Inc, an AI chat developer, raised similarly large sums from investors. The AI technology of 42dot, which was founded in 2019, is based on cameras with a camera sensor called “RADAR”. In addition to image analysis, this uses radio waves to recognise the surroundings. The system is integrated in the so-called “AKit”, which only has the dimensions of half an A4 page. According to analysts, the market launch could be groundbreaking, since the module can be mounted in any car boot to save space due to its compact size. In addition to the controller, 42dot is developing the mobility platform “TAP!” and a map service for autonomous driving “SDx Map”. In April 2021, 42dot’s CEO Song Chang-hyun was appointed head of Hyundai’s new Transportation-as-a-Service (TaaS) division. The division has since taken over the mobility business of Hyundai Motor Co. and Kia Corp. 42dots core products such as AKit are expected to hit the market between 2023 to 2024. 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. If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs or KCs for explosion safety products, feel free to contact us any time. Tel.: +49-69-2713769259 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“.

SK E&S promote logistics business based on hydrogen-powered drones

The SK E&S subsidiary of conglomerate SK Group is entering the logistics business with drones powered by hydrogen. To do so, the company will first promote small or young companies in this sector in research and development, Business Korea reports. SK E&S, a utility and energy company, plans to initially use the hydrogen-powered drones to inspect difficult-to-reach locations. These include remote gas pipelines and offshore wind farms far from the coast. As an electronic product, drones and their components are one of the product categories for which KC certification is required in order to import and use them in Korea.     Hydrogen-powered drones have a relatively long flight time due to the high energy density of hydrogen. Since they can also transport heavy loads if equipped appropriately, the drones could be used in the logistics and transport sector, for example as air taxis. SK E&S has announced that it will invest the equivalent of 15 billion US dollars in corresponding projects in the hydrogen business. In joint development work with small and medium-sized drone manufacturers, the construction of flying devices and the initial commercial operation are to be undertaken. Liquid hydrogen differs from the gas form in that it has a higher storage density and low pressure for storage. Hydrogen-powered drones have a flight time of up to 12 hours. This is a major advantage over battery-powered drones or those powered by gas, which can only boast a flight time of 30 minutes respectively between two and three hours. In the future, hydrogen drones could be used for a wide range of applications such as remote sensing, surveillance of dangerous locations, search and rescue missions, and deliveries to islands and mountainous regions. 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. If you need assistance or have any questions regarding Korean certifications like KC, KC EMC, KCs or KCs for explosion safety products, feel free to contact us any time. Tel.: +49-69-2713769259 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“.