Hanwha Impact develops gas turbine capable of burning up to 50 per cent hydrogen

Hanwha Impact Corporation, a South Korean petrochemical company, has developed a technology that allows medium-sized gas turbines to burn a fuel mixture containing up to 50 per cent hydrogen. The announcement was made by the relevant Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) in mid-June. Hanwha Impact held a demonstration of its gas turbine at the Daesan plant in Seosan city, South Chungcheong province, on the same day. The gas turbine burns natural gas (LNG) and hydrogen to generate electricity. In collaboration with Korea Western Power, Hanwha Impact successfully developed the technology to blend up to 50 per cent hydrogen in medium-sized (up to 80 MW) gas turbines. The new technology reduces air pollutants such as CO₂ and nitrogen oxides compared to conventional natural gas turbines, according to a Hanwha Impact spokesperson. Pressure vessels used in the industrial use of gas usually require KGS registration to be approved for import in Korea.

In the future, Hanwha Impact plans to collaborate with West Incheon Combined Power Generation to apply hydrogen technology to a 150 MW turbine. Hydrogen blending is a building block of the national plan to reduce greenhouse gases. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy therefore expects further large-scale investment in domestic and international hydrogen production and related infrastructure. The director of the ministry, Lee Ok-heon, expects the expansion of hydrogen power generation to 2.1 per cent in 2030 and 7.1 per cent in 2036.

The Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) is a governmental 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 was 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 like KC, KC EMC, KCs, KCs for explosion safety products or KGS factory registration.

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Hanwha TotalEnergies completes construction of polyolefin elastomer pilot plant

At the end of June, Hanwha TotalEnergies announced the completion of construction work on a pilot plant for the production of highly functional copolymers. These materials are used in industrial components such as car parts and cable insulation, according to the company. The pilot plant in Daesan, about 83 kilometres south of Seoul, will produce polyolefin elastomers (POE). Furthermore, tests for processing and manufacturing POEs will be conducted there, the company said in a press release. Equipment and components used in this field usually require KC Certification or KGS Factory Registration to be approved for import and distribution in Korea.

Hanwha TotalEnergies is a 50:50 joint venture between South Korea’s Hanwha Group and France’s TotalEnergies SE. Together, they have invested about US$26 million in the pilot plant, with the goal of producing about 200 tonnes of POEs annually. POE is a highly functional plastic, known for its flexibility like rubber but with the resilience like plastic. POEs are used in interior and exterior automotive parts, cable and wire insulation, coatings and medical products. POE has also recently found an application as a coating for solar cells. Within the Hanwha Group, Hanwha Solutions Corp. is responsible for the solar cell business.

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.

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Korean battery manufacturers announce additional joint ventures in the USA

Samsung SDI, for example, will establish a joint venture with General Motors, joining other South Korean companies that are expanding their market position through partnerships with global automakers. SDI, the battery division of the Samsung Group, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with the US carmaker in Michigan to build a battery factory. As recently as last year, GM was planning to build its fourth EV battery factory in Indiana together with LG Energy Solutions (LGES). The two companies already operate the Ultium Cells joint venture. For battery related products, KC certification, KCs certification or other Korean product certifications are often required to be approved for the Korean market.

However, LGES remained sceptical about executing the plan, citing the uncertain economic situation and the formation of a union at the Ultium site in Ohio as reasons. GM therefore looked for a new partner for the project and found one in Samsung SDI. During the January 2023 quarterly earnings announcement, Samsung SDI also stated its intention to enter into a second joint venture with another US carmaker. In addition to the new partnership with GM, Samsung SDI is already working with Stellantis.

LGES, on the other hand, started building a battery factory in Ohio together with Japan’s Honda Motor, as well as planning to set up a joint venture with Ford Motor in Turkey. Ford, on the other hand, initially planned to build the Turkish site with SK On, but failed to do so for unknown reasons. Instead, Ford announced that it would set up a production facility for lithium iron phosphate batteries under licence from China’s CATL. Although SK On and Ford continue to reaffirm their cooperation and are building a factory in Kentucky with the already existing joint venture BlueOval SK, doubts remain about the long-term cooperation. SK On, meanwhile, is planning to build a battery factory in Georgia together with Hyundai Motor Group.

“Korean battery makers and US automakers had maintained exclusive partnerships in the past, but the diverse demand for batteries for different types of vehicles and regions made it difficult for a single battery maker to fully meet the requirements of a specific automaker,” said Chang Jung-hoon, an analyst at Samsung Securities. Certifications for the Korean market are a complex hurdle and difficult to navigate due to different authorities and certification systems. With over 15 years of experience in the certification business, MPR International GmbH is your best point of contact for competent service when it comes to exporting to Korea. For example, KC Safety is relevant for electronics and household products, which are mostly intended for consumers, as well as products for children and babies.

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

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

LG Chem starts mass production of single crystal cathodes

South Korea’s LG Chem Ltd announced in late June that it has begun mass production of the next generation of a new cathode material with a high nickel content. The material consists of a single crystal structure and is designed to boost the performance of EV batteries. The first shipment of the single crystal cathodes from the Cheongju plant to customers is scheduled to begin in July, the chemical company wrote in a press release. LG Chem’s Cheongju site is located 112 kilometres south of Seoul. In addition, LG Chem plans to expand single-crystal cathode production at its Gumi plant in the southeast of the country with a capacity of 50,000 tonnes annually. For battery related products, KC certification, KCs certification or other Korean product certification is often required to be approved for the Korean market.

The single crystal cathode material consists of different metals such as nickel, cobalt and manganese in a single component. It is considered a key component for extending the life and capacity of the next generation of batteries. Cathodes are the main element of lithium-ion batteries and account for 40 per cent of production costs. Conventional cathodes have a polycrystalline structure consisting of a collection of tiny metal particles that often crack during charging. These cracks can lead to the formation of gases in the battery and shorten the battery’s life. Single-crystal cathodes increase the energy density of a battery and could boost the performance of EVs by up to 10 per cent, according to LG Chem. The single-crystal cathodes are installed in pouch-shaped and round cells, including LG’s next-generation 4680 batteries.

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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Email: info@korea-certification.com

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

South Korea and Taiwan work more closely together on gas and safety

For closer cooperation regarding gas and safety, the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS) and BSMI Taiwan held a joint meeting earlier this year. At the KGS headquarters in South Korea, topics such as cooperation in the safety management of gas plants were discussed and increased mutual trade of products in the field of gas safety and technology was decided. The meeting with the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection, in short BSMI, was also attended by representatives from companies in the gas industry from both countries. At the meeting, KGS presented its safety standard for butane tanks, a safety management system, accident notification and the current accident statistics.

In particular, the regulation on the mandatory fitting of butane containers with automatic closing valves was explained in detail by KGS and the background to this new regulation was explained. In addition, KGS presented an inspection system for gas-operated equipment as well as guidelines for the inspection of hydrogen gas plants to the visitors from Taiwan. KGS can draw on its many years of experience in the field of safety and product testing. In conclusion, Kwak Chae-Sik, KGS executive director for safety management, said: “Korean-Taiwanese trade volume has grown rapidly since 1989. To further strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation, it is necessary to expand our bilateral cooperation through technology exchange and network development.”

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 was 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 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

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

MPR Summer Event – Outdoor Challenges with Variety

On July 17, 2023, the MPR team gathered for their annual summer event, which this time took the form of a triathlon with sporting events and cognitive challenges in the beautiful town of Kelkheim, Hessen.

The day kicked off with an archery competition, which raised the team’s performance to a new level in a very short time.

The participants then embarked on the first stage of a hike through the countryside, which led to the high ropes course in the forest. Dizzying heights and a variety of difficulty levels kept the adventurers on their toes providing fun and thrills.

The day was rounded off with a delicious dinner in the idyllic beer garden of the Gimbacher Hof in the Vordertaunus region, where the colleagues were able to reflect on the day in a relaxed atmosphere and indulge their taste buds.

A heartfelt thank you for the organizers and the entire MPR team for making this company outing an unforgettable event.

Posco Group invests 92 Billion US Dollars in Steel, Batteries and Hydrogen

South Korean conglomerate Posco Group plans to invest about 92.4 billion US dollars in steel, secondary batteries and hydrogen by 2030. This is to strengthen competitiveness in future environmentally friendly materials, the company said in a statement in early July. More than 60 per cent of the investment sum will be invested in South Korea, mainly at the sites in Pohang, North Gyeonsang Province and Gwangyang, South Jeolla Province. Posco operates steel mills and rolling mills there, which account for the majority of the company’s proprietary steel production. “The investment will make Posco the market leader in future technologies and continue to grow,” Chairman Choi Jeong-woo told The Korea Times at the 50th anniversary of Posco’s first steel plant in Pohang. “In particular, the investment of over 60 per cent of the total planned amount in South Korea plays an important role in the development of the local economy and creation of skilled jobs,” Choi added. For battery related products, KC certification, KCs certification or other Korean product certification is often required to be approved for the Korean market.

In addition to expanding its steel division, which is the company’s core business, Posco will also focus on secondary battery materials and hydrogen. The latter is seen as an important component of Posco Group’s plan to transform itself as CO₂-neutral by 2050. Posco also expects the investments to generate synergy effects such as the establishment of suppliers and the creation of a total of 330,000 jobs. In recent years, Posco has already invested huge sums in secondary battery materials through Posco Holding and its subsidiary Posco FutureM. Posco also plans to convert its steel mills from the current carbon-based process to HyREX, a hydrogen process, by 2026. To run the blast furnaces at the Pohang and Gwangyang steel mills on hydrogen, an estimated 5 million tonnes of hydrogen are needed annually. Therefore, Posco plans to produce its own 7 million tonnes of hydrogen annually by 2050 to meet this demand.

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 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

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

LG Energy and SK On present prototype LFP batteries at InterBattery 2023

LG Energy Solution Ltd. and SK On Co. presented prototypes of their lithium iron phosphate batteries, or LFP for short, in mid-March. The premiere took place during South Korea’s largest battery trade fair, InterBattery 2023. As the business portal KED Global writes, the companies are thus preparing to make inroads into the low-price battery market, which is currently dominated by Chinese competitors. LFP batteries are used in low-cost and small e-vehicles as well as energy storage devices. LG develops LFP cells mainly for energy storage, while SK’s are used in EVs. For battery related products, KC certification, KCs certification or other Korean product certification is often required to be approved for the Korean market.

Currently, LFP batteries are mainly produced by Chinese companies such as Contemporary Amperex Technology Co (CATL) and BYD. These are between 20 and 30 per cent cheaper than nickel-cobalt cells, which consist of lithium, nickel, cobalt and manganese. The disadvantage of LFP batteries is their lower energy density and the resulting shorter range in EVs. LG is reportedly close to mass-producing LFP batteries at its plants in Nanjing, China, and Ochang, South Korea. Industry insiders expect a market launch in 2025. A subsidiary of the LG Group is also considering manufacturing LFP cells in the USA. There, tax incentives for EVs built predominantly with components from North America or its trading partners will apply since August 2022.

With a new prismatic cell, SK presented another new battery type. Test runs for production are to begin this year, the company said. SK is also working on two other cell technologies: cobalt-free and solid-state. Solid state batteries are considered the next ultimate generation of batteries due to their safety and higher energy density compared to lithium-ion batteries. Samsung SDI is also increasing its efforts to bring solid-state batteries to market ahead of the competition.

Certifications for the Korean market are a complex hurdle and difficult to navigate due to different authorities and certification systems. With over 15 years of experience in the certification business, MPR International GmbH is your best point of contact for competent service when it comes to exporting to Korea. For example, KC Safety is relevant for electronics and household products, which are mostly intended for consumers, as well as products for children and babies.

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

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

International cooperation: South Korea uses digital hydrogen filling system from German BAM

The German Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (BAM) is setting up a digitally networked hydrogen filling plant for research purposes. The aim is to carry out comprehensive tests on the safety of this relatively new technology and to monitor the process digitally. Institutions from South Korea are also using the BAM facility as part of the international research cooperation. In Germany, BAM is responsible for safety in the technology and chemical sector and therefore built a digital hydrogen filling plant on its test site in Brandenburg. According to BAM, the plant is currently unique in Germany and is operated as a pilot project within the scope of the “Quality Infrastructure Digital” (QI-Digital) initiative together by BAM and other institutions. Products from this industry often require KC certification or KGS certification to be approved for import and distribution in Korea.

Within the framework of a cooperation agreement, four partner institutions from South Korea will also use the facility, which is scheduled to start operation in 2024. A contract to this effect was signed at BAM in Berlin at the beginning of March 2023. The cooperation is financially supported by the South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE). The focus is on a new safety system for hydrogen filling plants developed in South Korea. It uses sensors to record safety-relevant data during operation and monitors the plant in real time. During an emergency or critical situation, the system automatically provides information to the personnel to ensure their safety. As BAM writes in a press release, two companies from the private sector and two state institutions, the Korea Electronics Technology Institute and the Korea Gas Safety Corporation, are participating from South Korea.

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 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

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

EV battery manufacturers develop new silicon anode material

South Korean battery manufacturers in the EV sector are accelerating their development work on silicon anodes. This new material could reduce the production costs of EV batteries while increasing battery capacity. Manufacturers are trying to boost the performance of EVs with silicon anodes to compete against the flood of cheap EV batteries from China. In many cases, products from the fields of batteries and electromobility in general require KC certification for Korea in order to be approved for import and sale there.
 

 
LG Chem plans to invest about $4.7 billion over the next three years to develop new materials for EV batteries. According to a report by Business Korea, research into new anodes will make up the majority of the budget. LG Chem, for example, is working on anodes made of pure silicon, while anodes available on the market today only have a silicon content of five per cent. SKC invested 80 million US dollars in Nexeon last year. Together with SKC, the British developer of anodes presented a new anode with at least 15 per cent silicon content. This is currently being tested in batteries from SK On. SKC is also planning to build a production plant for silicon used in anodes.
POSCO Chemical will start up its production plant for silicon anodes later this year. Series production and sales are planned for the first half of 2024. For this purpose, POSCO Holdings bought Tera Technos and renamed it POSCO Silicon Solutions in July 2022. Currently, Daejoo Electronics is the only South Korean company that has successfully launched silicon anodes. The material for their silicon anode has a silicon content of five per cent and is sourced from LG Energy Solution. Daejoo Electronic plans to increase the silicon content to seven percent by 2027.
As mentioned earlier, silicon anodes have advantages in terms of lower cost and higher capacity of the batteries. The current main material for EV battery anodes is graphite. It is estimated that a pure silicon anode could have 1,000 times the capacity of a graphite anode. The price of graphite has risen with the increasing number of EVs sold. The current price per tonne is about 800 US dollars and will rise to 1,000 US dollars by 2025. Last year, China contributed 82 per cent of global graphite production. The global market for silicon anodes will be worth 6.92 billion US dollars in 2026, according to experts, while annual growth will be 23.4 per cent.
Certifications for the Korean market are a complex hurdle and difficult to navigate due to different authorities and certification systems. With over 15 years of experience in the certification business, MPR International GmbH is your best point of contact for competent service when it comes to exporting to Korea. For example, KC Safety is relevant for electronics and household products, which are mostly intended for consumers, as well as products for children and babies.
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
For more information you can download our free brochure “Korea Certification Made Easy – The Booklet“.