Hyosung Group presented a blueprint for its hydrogen business at the Green Business Week 2023 (GBW 2023) held at the COEX convention center in the Gangnam district of Seoul on Nov. 22, covering everything from hydrogen production to storage, transportation, and supply.
At the exhibition, Hyosung introduced a “Hydrogen Eco City” road map, centering on digital media utilizing QR codes, offering a comprehensive view of the future of Hyosung’s hydrogen business.
Hyosung, which has been maturing its hydrogen business for 15 years, is the leading hydrogen charging station company in Korea. Its subsidiary, Hyosung Heavy Industries, has provided a total solution for hydrogen charging stations since 2008, including production, assembly, and construction. It has established 37 stations nationwide. The hydrogen stations made by Hyosung Heavy Industries can charge vehicles in 3-5 minutes with a 700 bar capacity, servicing over five hydrogen cars per hour.
Hyosung is leading the hydrogen industry with its liquid hydrogen plants. For its liquid hydrogen business, Hyosung has partnered with Linde Group, a global industrial gas company, and is building a liquid hydrogen plant on the Ulsan Yongyeon factory site with an annual capacity of 13,000 tons. Hyosung plans to invest 1 trillion won over five years to increase its liquid hydrogen production capacity to 39,000 tons. Concurrently with the completion of the liquid hydrogen plant, Hyosung will construct its first liquid hydrogen charging station in Ulsan. The plan is to expand to about 30 locations nationwide, following the government’s policy on the distribution of large commercial hydrogen vehicles.
Hyosung is also preparing hydrogen production through water electrolysis using renewable energy. In the medium to long term, Hyosung plans to invest a total of 1 trillion won to produce green hydrogen utilizing renewable energy.
Hyosung showcased a hydrogen tank made of carbon fiber, known as the material of dreams. Hydrogen fuel tanks must withstand pressures 500-900 times higher than normal air pressure, necessitating high-strength storage containers. Hyosung produces hydrogen tanks with a “Nylon Liner” stronger and lighter than metal, and carbon fiber, which is 85% lighter than steel and ten times more elastic,. These materials are produced by Hyosung TNC and Hyosung Advanced Materials, respectively. Hyosung Advanced Materials plans to increase its annual carbon fiber production capacity from the current 9,000 tons to 16,500 tons next year, 21,500 tons by 2025, and further to 24,000 tons by 2028 in preparation for the full-fledged hydrogen era.