Iljin Hysolus, World's No.1 Hydrogen Tube Producer... "Became the World's Best Company"

Type 4 'Hydrogen Tube Trailer' Launches, Leading the Global Hydrogen Economy

Ahn Hong-sang, CEO of Iljin Hysolus, is explaining the 'Hydrogen Tube Trailer' launched on the 8th.
[Photo by Iljin Hysolus]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] "It is the world's largest and most technologically advanced company producing 60,000 hydrogen tubes (hydrogen storage containers) annually."

On the afternoon of the 8th, the expressions of pride on the faces of the executives and employees introducing the hydrogen tube production process at Iljin Hi-Solus' Wanju plant in Bongdong Industrial Complex, Wanju-gun, Jeollabuk-do, were evident.

Iljin Hi-Solus is the world's top company producing 60,000 eco-friendly hydrogen tubes annually. On this day, they unveiled the world's first developed 4th generation (Type 4) hydrogen tube trailer. The hydrogen tube trailer is a key piece of equipment that compresses and stores hydrogen at the production site and transports it to hydrogen refueling stations. Up to Type 3, all are metal cartridge-type (long, thin pipe-shaped metal tanks), with Type 1 currently being the most widely used.

Iljin Hi-Solus' Type 4 hydrogen tube trailer carries 40 hydrogen tubes made from a composite material of high-strength plastic and carbon fiber. The loaded hydrogen amount is 500 kg, capable of withstanding a pressure of 450 bar, enough to refuel about 240 Hyundai Motor Company's Nexo vehicles.

The Type 1 hydrogen tube trailer has a storage pressure of 200 bar and a loaded hydrogen amount of only 300 kg. Hydrogen vehicles need to be refueled at 700 bar pressure. Therefore, hydrogen refueling stations perform two compression processes: first at 450 bar, then again at 700 bar. This is because metal cartridges cannot withstand 700 bar pressure.

Type 4 Hydrogen Tube Trailer Solves All Obstacles to Expanding Hydrogen Infrastructure

Also, Type 1 trailers are large and heavy. The total weight reaches 40 tons, and the length is 16 meters, exceeding the urban entry limit under road traffic laws (30 tons). Type 4 reduces the total weight to 26 tons and shortens the length to 10 meters, allowing delivery across Han River bridges and into urban areas.

Yoo Gye-hyung, head of the Container Design Team at Iljin Hi-Solus' Hydrogen Business Division, explained, "We have solved all obstacles to expanding hydrogen infrastructure, including operating costs, investment costs of hydrogen refueling stations, and urban driving restrictions," adding, "Our product surpasses competitors in storage efficiency, safety, durability, and price competitiveness."

Safety is also assured. In May, they obtained certifications from the Korea Gas Safety Corporation and the International Organization for Standardization, qualifying for domestic and international market entry. Although explosions are unlikely, if one occurs, metal materials scatter fragments, whereas composite materials simply tear like a soccer ball. When hydrogen tubes are thrown into fire, other companies pass if they withstand 10 or 20 minutes, but Iljin Hi-Solus requires endurance of 1 hour to pass their own certification.

CEO Ahn Hong-sang of Iljin Hi-Solus introduced, "The hydrogen tubes applied to Hyundai Motor's Nexo have passed all tests and are so robust that even armor-piercing bullets cannot penetrate them," adding, "We have produced over 60,000 units without a single complaint."

The development of the Type 4 hydrogen tube trailer is accelerating the advancement of the hydrogen economy. As of the end of last year, there were about 70 hydrogen refueling stations nationwide, but this is expected to increase to 450 by 2025 and 660 by 2030. Overseas hydrogen refueling stations are projected to grow to 11,000 by 2030, and the global hydrogen tube trailer market is expected to expand from $285 million last year to $1 billion by 2030.

Development is also accelerating for hydrogen tubes applicable to ships, railroads, and drones. Overseas, hydrogen fuel cell systems are already being applied to ships, railroads, and commercial vehicles. Hydrogen-powered trains are expected to be commercialized by 2025, hydrogen passenger ships by 2030, and commercial trucks are also expected to be launched soon.

Ahn Hong-sang, CEO of Iljin Hysolus, explaining the materials used for the hydrogen tubes installed in the hydrogen car Nexo.
[Photo by Iljin Hysolus]

Introduction of Hydrogen Fuel Storage System for Domestic Container Ships, KOSPI Listing in August

In Korea, container ships are expected to be the first to be commercialized. On the 2nd, Iljin Hi-Solus signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Samsung Heavy Industries for joint development of hydrogen ships, agreeing to supply high-pressure hydrogen fuel storage systems for hydrogen fuel cell ships being built by Samsung Heavy Industries. The industry expects that a single container ship will be equipped with a hydrogen storage system equivalent to about 10,000 hydrogen passenger cars.

CEO Ahn stated, "A domestic drone manufacturer tested electric charging drones and hydrogen charging drones, and while electric drones had a flight time of only 20 minutes, hydrogen drones flew for 2 hours," asserting, "Except for small passenger cars, large passenger cars and commercial vehicles will all be dominated by hydrogen vehicles."

The company has 180 employees in total, with 14% dedicated to research and development (R&D), and 56% of the research staff holding master's or doctoral degrees. Although there are about 40 patent applications, there are even more technologies kept without patent applications. Because of this, the National Intelligence Service protects Iljin Hi-Solus' technology.

Iljin Hi-Solus recently passed the preliminary review for listing and is preparing for a KOSPI listing in August. The major shareholder is Iljin Diamond (87%), with last year's sales at 113.5 billion KRW and net profit at 15.6 billion KRW.

CEO Ahn said, "The data accumulated over nearly 20 years of research, development, and mass production of hydrogen tubes is a solid asset that allows Iljin Hi-Solus to have technology about four years ahead of competitors," adding, "As competitors catch up, we will move even further ahead. We are receiving love calls from leading global companies and will collaborate with them to dominate the global hydrogen supply market."

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