"Reducing SMR Production Time by 80%"... Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute Visits Innovation Site

Development of Core Manufacturing Process Technology for Ultra-Large PM-HIP

Seungjae Lee, President of the Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute (second from the right in the first row), is visiting Cohipstech in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk, to observe the development site. Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute

The Korea Energy Technology Evaluation Institute announced that on April 2, Seungjae Lee, President of the Institute, visited Cohipstech in Gyeongsan, Gyeongbuk—a joint research and development institution for innovative manufacturing technology of small modular reactors (SMRs)—to inspect the site and encourage those involved.

Cohipstech is participating in the development of PM-HIP (Powder Metallurgy-Hot Isostatic Pressing) technology, a core technology considered essential for shortening construction periods and reducing costs in the SMR manufacturing process.

SMRs require advanced manufacturing technology due to their integrated modular design. Although the size of equipment has increased compared to conventional large-scale nuclear power plants, the production and delivery deadlines have become shorter, making the development of innovative manufacturing process technologies essential.

The Institute explained, "PM-HIP is a next-generation process innovation technology that enables the production of complex-shaped parts in a near net shape in a single step," and added, "It is expected to reduce production time by more than 80% compared to existing processes."

Leading SMR countries such as the United States and the United Kingdom are also actively supporting efforts to secure PM-HIP technology.

Since 2024, the Institute has been supporting the 'Development of Core Manufacturing Process Technology for Ultra-Large PM-HIP.' A total of 20.1 billion won will be invested by 2028.

In the first phase of the project, which will be carried out until the end of this year, the focus will be on developing powder manufacturing technology and capsule fabrication technology for PM-HIP. In the second phase (2027–2028), efforts will be made to develop and standardize PM-HIP manufacturing process technology.

At the site on this day, President Seungjae Lee of the Institute, as well as representatives from Doosan Enerbility—the lead research and development institution for the project—and Cohipstech, the joint research and development institution, attended to discuss the status and challenges of technology development and also reviewed the pilot-scale PM-HIP manufacturing process installed at Cohipstech.

President Seungjae Lee of the Institute stated, "Innovative process technologies such as PM-HIP are essential for ensuring the economic viability of SMRs," and added, "We will continue to actively support the development of innovative SMR manufacturing technologies, which require large-scale investment and have significant industrial impact."

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