SK Materials and Korea South-East Power are launching Korea's first CO2 mineralization project using coal ash for carbon neutrality and resource recycling.

SK Materials (President Lee Yong-wook) signed a business agreement with Korea South-East Power on the 17th at Gran Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to "promote business for carbon neutrality and resource circulation."

Under the agreement signed on this day, the two companies will establish a cooperative framework to install and operate a CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilization) facility on a trial basis at the Yeosu Power Plant of Korea South-East Power, and will pursue commercialization and business expansion based on the pilot project for the first time in Korea.

This CCU facility produces construction aggregates by reacting CO2 contained in the exhaust gas emitted from power plants with calcium components (Ca2+) contained in coal ash. This enables the permanent storage of CO2 and offers advantages such as waste recycling, the non-use of chemicals, and the absence of wastewater generation; therefore, it is expected to contribute to the activation of CCU as an economically viable and stable greenhouse gas reduction project.

The signing ceremony took place in the presence of officials from both companies, including SK Materials President Lee Yong-wook and Korea South-East Power President Kim Hoe-cheon.

Lee Yong-wook, President of SK Materials, stated, “We plan to continuously identify various business and investment opportunities by advancing CCU technology through the establishment of a solid cooperative framework with Korea South-East Power. Moving forward, as a responsible company, we will actively respond to climate change and strive to achieve tangible carbon neutrality and build a sustainable society.”

Kim Hoe-cheon, President of Korea South-East Power, stated, “Through this agreement, we will ensure the successful implementation of the CCU project through close cooperation and technology exchange with SK Materials,” adding, “We will continue to strive to realize a carbon-neutral and resource-circulating society by developing core carbon-neutral technologies, transitioning to eco-friendly energy, expanding new and renewable energy, and developing resource-circulating businesses.”