“Achieving by 2045” Hyundai Motor Group Establishes Carbon Neutrality Research Labs with Five Domestic Universities

Development of Carbon Capture and Energy Conversion Technologies in the Atmosphere

Hyundai Motor Group held a commemorative event on the 26th at Rolling Hills Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, with representatives from Gyeongsang National University, Kongju National University, Korea National University of Transportation, Korea University of Energy and Technology, Hanyang University, and Hyundai Motor Group to establish the 'Carbon Neutrality Joint Research Laboratory.'

This laboratory was created for Hyundai Motor Group and the participating universities to conduct joint research until 2026. It focuses on technologies that capture carbon from the air and convert it into materials or energy. While Hyundai Motor Group recognizes the need to reduce carbon emissions during the manufacturing process, it decided to establish this laboratory based on the judgment that achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 requires active efforts such as directly capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere and converting it into useful energy.

(From left) Seunghyun Hong, Executive Director and Head of Basic Materials Research Center at Hyundai Motor Company and Kia, Sangyong Nam, Professor at Gyeongsang National University, Youngsoo Ko, Professor at Kongju National University, Yeongi Hong, Professor at Korea National University of Transportation, Jooyoung Kim, Professor at Gyeongsang National University, Myunghwan Oh, Professor at Korea Energy Engineering University, Taeju Park, Professor at Hanyang University, and Junghoon Oh, Executive Director and CEO of Hyundai NGV, are posing for a commemorative photo.
[Photo by Hyundai Motor Group]

The laboratory consists of two divisions: DAS (Direct Air Capture of carbon) and CO2 Utilization. The DAS division includes Gyeongsang National University, Kongju National University, and Korea National University of Transportation, researching technologies to efficiently capture CO2 present in the atmosphere at a concentration of 0.04%. The CO2 Utilization division involves Gyeongsang National University, Korea University of Energy and Technology, and Hanyang University, conducting research to convert captured CO2 into methanol, methane, carbon materials, and other substances to produce synthetic fuels and battery materials.

After securing basic technologies, the laboratory plans to develop mobile carbon capture devices that can be installed in vehicles, as well as large-capacity fixed modular systems applicable to workplaces and buildings.

Seunghyun Hong, Executive Director and Head of the Basic Materials Research Center at Hyundai Motor and Kia, stated, “To achieve true carbon neutrality by 2045, Hyundai Motor Group needs technologies that actively capture carbon from the atmosphere and convert it into useful energy. We will do our best to develop core technologies for carbon neutrality through the synergy of industry-academia research.”

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