Hyundai Steel Secures Core Cryogenic Testing Technology for LNG Storage Tanks

First KOLAS Accreditation in Korea
Strengthening Energy Infrastructure Competitiveness

Hyundai Steel has become the first company in the Korean steel industry to secure internationally accredited testing capabilities in cryogenic material testing, a core field for next-generation energy storage facilities.

Cryogenic tensile testing facility at Hyundai Steel's Pohang Testing Center. Provided by Hyundai Steel.

Hyundai Steel's Pohang Testing Center recently obtained accreditation as an internationally recognized testing laboratory for cryogenic tensile testing from the Korea Laboratory Accreditation Scheme (KOLAS), which is under the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards. KOLAS accreditation is a system that verifies the technical competence of testing, calibration, and inspection bodies in accordance with international standards, and the resulting test reports carry the same validity in 104 member countries of the International Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation (ILAC).

This accreditation represents the first case in Korea of meeting the testing requirements of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage tank design and construction standard, which is regarded as one of the most stringent standards worldwide. In particular, Hyundai Steel obtained accreditation not only for conducting the tests themselves but also for strict temperature control conditions, which is being evaluated as proof that the company’s cryogenic testing capabilities are at a world-class level.

Cryogenic tensile testing is a key quality verification procedure that evaluates the performance of rebar in withstanding impact and load in ultra-low-temperature environments of minus 165 degrees Celsius or below. It requires highly sophisticated and precise testing technologies, including control of temperature deviation at the center of the specimen, management of holding time after reaching cryogenic temperature, and control of strain rate.

Until now, Korea had relied on overseas specialized institutions, such as the Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology, to carry out such tests. Hyundai Steel has now built a testing system with its own technology, achieving technological self-reliance.

With this achievement, Hyundai Steel has secured one-stop solution capabilities, enabling it to handle everything in-house from material production to the issuance of internationally accredited test reports. As a result, the company can significantly shorten the certification issuance period, which typically took more than three months, thereby strengthening its delivery competitiveness.

Expectations are also rising at domestic LNG project sites. Korea Gas Corporation, a major client for LNG terminals, and Doosan Enerbility, the construction contractor, believe that Hyundai Steel’s acquisition of KOLAS accreditation will have a positive impact on the ongoing construction of the Dangjin LNG production base. The fact that fast and accurate verification can now be conducted domestically, without relying on overseas institutions, is being highly valued.

A Hyundai Steel official said, "This KOLAS accreditation demonstrates that Hyundai Steel has advanced beyond being a simple steel material supplier to becoming a technology company that delivers trust and safety," adding, "Through continuous research and development and enhancement of our testing and analysis capabilities, we will become the premium partner that customers turn to first."

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