Collecting and Recycling Carbon Dioxide... SK E&S Accelerates Technology Localization

Kim Jong-nam, President of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (left in the photo), Chu Hyung-wook, CEO of SK E&S, and Lee Kwang-soon, CEO of CE Tech Co., Ltd., are taking a commemorative photo after holding a signing ceremony at the headquarters of the Korea Institute of Energy Technology in Daejeon on the 16th. Photo by SK E&S

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 16th, SK E&S signed a business agreement with the Korea Institute of Energy Technology (KETI) and CO₂ capture technology specialist company C-Tech for the "Advancement, Demonstration, and Commercialization Research of CO₂ Capture Technology." According to the agreement, SK E&S will support research for the development, demonstration, and commercialization of CO₂ capture technology optimized for large-scale hydrogen production and liquefied natural gas (LNG) power generation. A working-level consultative body will also be formed to efficiently conduct research together with KETI, a national research institute with technological expertise, and C-Tech, which holds related patents.

Carbon Capture (CC) is considered a core technology for South Korea’s 2050 carbon neutrality goal as well as for global greenhouse gas reduction efforts. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind are inherently intermittent, so LNG power generation plays a complementary role; however, LNG also emits some CO₂. To enhance environmental friendliness, CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage), which separately collects and stores CO₂, and further advanced CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage) technologies that reuse the captured CO₂ are gaining attention.

The technology is regarded as essential for building a future hydrogen ecosystem by eliminating CO₂ generated during the process of producing hydrogen from LNG reforming. CCS technology has recently made significant advances, with 28 projects capturing about 40 million tons annually currently in commercial operation worldwide. In South Korea, demonstration projects have been conducted mainly in coal-fired power generation, but commercialization has not yet been achieved. Under this agreement, efforts will focus on refining wet-type technology favorable for large-scale capture. This method uses liquid chemicals that selectively absorb only CO₂.

Chu Hyung-wook, President of SK E&S, stated, "CCUS is a core technology for ESG management in the energy industry," adding, "We will boldly invest in and strive to develop CCUS technology to make a practical contribution to carbon neutrality in the energy sector and national greenhouse gas reduction." Kim Jong-nam, Director of KETI, said, "Securing economic feasibility of CCUS, especially CO₂ capture technology, is key to achieving carbon neutrality," and added, "This agreement will serve as an opportunity to advance capture technology optimized for LNG power generation and hydrogen production."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.