The Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS, President Lee Jeong-hwan), a government-funded research institute under the Ministry of Science and ICT, is embarking on the realization of a carbon-neutral era centered on green hydrogen together with Hyundai Heavy Industries Engine & Machinery Division (Business Representative Ahn Kwang-heon) and Pusan National University (President Cha Jeong-in).

Three institutions, including the Korea Institute of Materials Science, held a signing ceremony for a business agreement at the main building of Pusan National University on September 6 and pledged to jointly develop green hydrogen production systems and eco-friendly technologies.

Water electrolysis systems currently available in the hydrogen fuel market utilize fresh water.

The Korea Institute of Materials Science has pioneered the low-cost production of high-purity hydrogen from seawater by developing non-precious metal-based anion exchange membrane seawater electrolysis technology. The joint research team aims to develop the world's first hydrogen production system using seawater in the future.

In addition, there is a continuously increasing global demand for cryogenic eco-friendly fuels such as LNG and hydrogen. The research team will also pursue the localization of expensive overseas cryogenic equipment.

This MOU aims to jointly develop core technologies for green hydrogen production, marine engines, eco-friendly energy, and performance enhancement by combining source technologies from universities, commercialization technologies from national research institutes, and business development technologies from industries. Moving forward, the three institutions plan to establish a virtuous cycle structure in which, alongside the development of source technologies, trained research personnel are produced at universities and research institutes and subsequently recruited by the industry.

Specifically, the Korea Institute of Materials Science will be responsible for the technology and demonstration for commercialization and scaling up based on the developed electrode catalyst, Hyundai Heavy Industries will lead the demonstration and commercialization of a MW-class green hydrogen production system utilizing surplus electricity, and Pusan National University, which possesses electrode catalyst technology—a core technology for water electrolysis systems—will develop source technology for high-efficiency, low-cost catalysts that surpass European water electrolysis systems based on this.

Lee Jung-hwan, President of the Korea Institute of Materials Science, stated, “To usher in a carbon-neutral era quickly and efficiently, a high level of cohesion is required for industry, academia, and research institutes to pool their respective strengths and unite,” adding, “I pledge that the three institutions will do their utmost to cooperate on research to ensure the stable establishment of the green hydrogen production system.”