Hydrogen City Changwon Joins Hands with KTC

Mayor Hong Nampyo Meets with An Seongil, KTC Director

Discussing Mutual Cooperation Plans for Hydrogen Sector Testing and Certification

Korea Testing Certification institute (KTC), a leading domestic testing and certification organization, is partnering with Changwon Special City in Gyeongnam, a hydrogen city, to become a specialized testing and certification institution in the hydrogen sector.

On the 27th, An Seong-il, president of KTC, visited the city and met with Mayor Hong Nam-pyo and Jang Dong-hwa, director of the Changwon Industry Promotion Agency, proposing cooperation in hydrogen sector testing and certification projects to support the development of Changwon's hydrogen industry. Accordingly, Changwon Special City and KTC discussed mutual cooperation plans to establish Korea’s first full-cycle hydrogen infrastructure management system.

Changwon Special City and KTC discussed mutual cooperation measures to establish the nation's first full-cycle hydrogen infrastructure management system.

The city is home to 50 specialized hydrogen companies, including Doosan Enerbility (hydrogen turbines, liquefied hydrogen plants), Hyundai Rotem (hydrogen trains), Bumhan Fuel Cell (fuel cells, hydrogen charging systems), and EM Solution (water electrolysis equipment, hydrogen charging systems). Changwon-based hydrogen companies have played a significant role in the growth of the domestic hydrogen market, securing and supplying 70% of Korea’s hydrogen refueling stations.

In particular, domestically produced hydrogen charging systems made by Changwon hydrogen companies demonstrate excellent performance comparable to overseas products. As a result, major foreign countries such as the UAE, Oman, China, and Australia have proposed local market entry to Changwon hydrogen companies. However, various certifications from accredited testing and certification institutions are required for exporting hydrogen-related products made by Korean companies abroad.

KTC, established in 2010 through the merger of the Korea Machinery and Chemical Testing Institute and the Korea Electrical and Electronics Testing Institute, is a leading domestic testing and certification organization providing services in diverse fields such as electrical and electronics, telecommunications, machinery, chemistry, and bio. It supports the growth of Korean companies, regional innovation, exports, and overseas expansion by establishing domestic and international bases.

Recently, in line with the global energy transition era aimed at achieving carbon neutrality (Net Zero), KTC has strengthened various testing and certification services in the hydrogen sector and decided to promote mutual cooperation with the city leading the hydrogen industry among domestic local governments to support the overseas expansion of Korean hydrogen companies.

Accordingly, during his visit to Mayor Hong, KTC President An requested the city’s cooperation in establishing a full-cycle hydrogen infrastructure management system. Mayor Hong promised active cooperation with KTC to boost the leap of Changwon’s hydrogen industry and enhance the competitiveness of local hydrogen companies. He also asked for collaboration on various testing, certification, and R&D activities related to local companies in fields beyond hydrogen, including materials, parts, equipment, defense industry, aviation, and biohealth.

Mayor Hong said, “As the achievements of the city’s hydrogen industry, which has been continuously promoted, are blossoming in the 8th local government term, and local hydrogen companies are receiving various love calls domestically and internationally, the proposal for cooperation with KTC in hydrogen sector testing and certification is expected to greatly contribute to strengthening the city’s hydrogen industry competitiveness by providing accredited testing and certification support to hydrogen companies.”

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