KOLON Industries shares its vision to become the global leader in fuel cell materials and part

KOLON Industries shares its vision to become the global leader in fuel cell materials and parts.

-Achieving technological upgrades under the aim of reaching a global market share of 50% in membrane humidifier by 2025

-Joining forces with corporate customers in Korea and beyond based on pilot equipment for membrane electrode assembly (MEA)

-Completing the construction of pilot equipment based on next-generation hydrocarbon polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM)

-Showcasing related technologies at the H₂ Mobility + Energy Show 2021

KOLON Industries (CEO Jang Hui-goo) announced on the 1^st that it would disclose its vision to become the global leader in key fuel cell materials and parts at the H₂ Mobility + Energy Show 2021, which is scheduled to take place at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi-do, until January 3.

At the exhibition, KOLON Industries plans to announce its latest progress concerning the technological development and mass-production strategy of fuel cell parts such as membrane humidifier, membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and introduce the current status of hydrocarbon PEM, which is a key next-generation material candidate.

Membrane humidifier, which is a key part of fuel cell peripheral devices (Balance of Plant), is based on KOLON Industries’ 31 years of tradition in membrane design and manufacturing technology. Globally, only a handful of companies possess this technology, and among them, KOLON Industries is equipped with the largest production facility and continues to remain at the forefront in Korea and beyond by investing in facility expansion every year. Following its successful commercialization of membrane humidifier for the first time in the world in association with Hyundai Motor Company in 2013, it is pushing ahead with collaboration with diverse companies under the aim of reaching a global market share of 50% by 2025.

As for MEA, KOLON Industries has installed pilot equipment in its research complex in Magok, Seoul, which is capable of manufacturing products based on the convergence of the company’s film post-processing technology and product design technology for specific applications and development stages. This feat has been achieved by continuously focusing on technological innovation since undertaking the journey in 2014 through the introduction of major research facilities and patents, etc., from Korea and abroad. KOLON Industries is currently carrying out the customer confirmation procedure for MEA for vehicles and buildings developed to enter the fuel cell market of Korea and China and is closely examining the expansion of investment in production equipment for the completion of commercialization next year.

KOLON Industries’ MEA is also advantageous in that it promotes the internalization of PEM, which accounts for the highest percentage in terms of production cost in the parts manufacturing process. The company initially jumped into the development of PEM in 2008, prior to the development of MEA, and succeeded in securing the original technology for hydrocarbon reinforced composite membrane for fuel cells. It is currently concentrating on differentiating this technology by improving its long-term durability using pilot-scale PEM manufacturing equipment established with its exclusive technology.

KOLON Industries plans to provide integrated solutions for key fuel cell materials and continues to reinforce its presence step-by-step in the markets of fuel cells for houses and buildings, drones, heavy equipment, trains, and ships in addition to fuel cell electric vehicles.

Lee Moo-seok, Executive Director in charge of fuel cells at KOLON Industries, said, “There are new opportunities for fuel cell materials and parts in the hydrogen business ecosystem. In addition to fuel cell, we will advance into the water electrolysis business based on our technological prowess related to key materials.”