Hyundai E&C and Hyundai Engineering Merge Construction R&D Units... Launch of HMG Construction Technology Research Institute

Largest R&D Organization Among Domestic Construction Firms with Over 200 Members
"Enhanced Capabilities in Energy, Future Housing, Smart Construction, and Infrastructure"

On June 1, Hyundai E&C and Hyundai Engineering, both construction affiliates of Hyundai Motor Group, announced their decision to unify their research and development (R&D) organizations.

The integrated entity combines Hyundai E&C’s Technology Research Institute and Hyundai Engineering’s Future Technology Promotion Team, and will be named the HMG Construction Technology Research Institute. The companies explained that this move is intended to proactively respond to the energy transition and the spread of smart construction by integrating each company’s research personnel, technological assets, and project execution experience, thereby enhancing future technological competitiveness in the construction sector.

The HMG Construction Technology Research Institute will operate as an organization directly under the CEOs of each company, with over 200 staff members assigned. The company stated that this makes it the largest dedicated R&D organization among domestic construction firms. The first director will be Kim Jaeyoung, who previously served as Vice President for Research at Seoul National University and became the head of Hyundai E&C’s Technology Research Institute last year.

HMG Construction Technology Research Institute Mabuk Research Complex. Provided by Hyundai Engineering & Construction

The research institute has been reorganized around four core research areas: energy, future housing, smart construction, and infrastructure. The energy division will focus on small modular reactors (SMRs), hydrogen, and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The future housing division will address new housing products, novel construction methods, and the utilization of residential data. The smart construction division is tasked with improving safety and quality and preventing human error through the application of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, while the infrastructure division will oversee areas such as underground spaces and mobility.

The company added, “Our aim is to secure core technologies and expand demonstration in next-generation energy fields, thereby solidifying a leading position across the entire energy value chain and achieving visible results in building sustainable future infrastructure.”

The two companies are jointly developing and demonstrating a 5MW plant-type PEM water electrolysis system in Jeju. Last year, Hyundai E&C completed Korea’s first water electrolysis-based hydrogen production facility in Buan, North Jeolla Province. Hyundai Engineering also began construction last year of a water electrolysis-based production facility in Boryeong, South Chungcheong Province. These efforts are expected to accelerate the establishment of a hydrogen value chain promoted at the Hyundai Motor Group level.

A representative from the research institute stated, “With the creation of this large-scale research organization, we are now able to develop and demonstrate technologies that would have been difficult for each company to pursue individually. We will focus on leveraging our mutual strengths and supporting the strategic infrastructure needed to enhance the future competitiveness of Hyundai Motor Group.”

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