Sungwon Enterprise Aims to Become a Leading Hydrogen Energy Company with 34 Years of Shipbuilding Expertise

Hydrogen Energy Business Accelerates, Backed by 34 Years of Shipbuilding Expertise

Solid Hydrogen Storage at Low Pressure and Ambient Temperature... 40kg-Class Demonstration Completed

Plans to Expand into Hydrogen Ships, HESS, and Mobility Solutions

"The storage capacity of solid hydrogen can nearly double depending on thermal management, and we are the only company that possesses the related thermal management technology."

Ilho Bang, head of the research institute at Sungwon Enterprise, explained the company's competitive edge in solid hydrogen storage technology during a press conference hosted by the Inno-Biz Association at Sungwon Enterprise's Busan plant on July 9. The efficiency of thermal management during the absorption or release of hydrogen by hydrogen storage alloys is the key factor determining storage performance, making precise thermal control technology essential.

This technology is the result of Sungwon Enterprise expanding its manufacturing capabilities—built in the shipbuilding and offshore plant equipment sector—into the hydrogen storage field. Founded in 1992, Sungwon Enterprise has grown over the past 34 years by producing ship outfitting equipment, valves and piping materials, and pressure vessels. The company currently supplies its products to major domestic shipbuilders such as Hanwha Ocean, Samsung Heavy Industries, and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries. As of the end of last year, the company's sales amounted to 50 billion won.

Jongtae Jung, CEO of Sungwon Enterprise, is answering questions from reporters at Sungwon Enterprise Busan factory on the 9th. Busan - Photo by Ho-Kyung Choi

Sungwon Enterprise, which had achieved stable results in its core business, entered the hydrogen energy industry in 2021 and designated solid hydrogen as its future growth engine. As carbon neutrality became a global agenda and the Korean government began to actively pursue related policies, the company started investing in core materials and equipment technology needed for building hydrogen infrastructure. Focusing on its in-house research institute established in 2006, Sungwon Enterprise has expanded its expertise in hydrogen storage alloys and thermal management systems. While securing numerous patents and intellectual property rights (IP), the company has also been working on technology advancement and commercialization through joint research and development (R&D) with government-funded research institutes and academia.

Expanding Shipbuilding Equipment Manufacturing Capabilities to Solid Hydrogen Technology

Sungwon Enterprise's core competitive edge lies in its "low-pressure, large-capacity solid hydrogen storage technology" using hydrogen storage alloys. Traditionally, hydrogen gas has been stored by compressing it to over 350 times atmospheric pressure (350 bar) or liquefying it at the extremely low temperature of minus 253 degrees Celsius.

In contrast, Sungwon Enterprise's technology enables the safe, long-term, high-density storage of hydrogen at ambient temperature and pressure below 10 bar. Compared to high-pressure systems, this greatly reduces explosion risks, making it ideal for safety-critical environments such as urban areas or power plants. Bang stated, "Unlike liquid hydrogen, solid hydrogen does not lose gas due to vaporization or leakage," adding, "Even after two to three years, the amount stored remains unchanged."

Hydrogen storage pressure vessel based on hydrogen storage alloy for large-capacity hydrogen storage. Inno-Biz Association

Additionally, Sungwon Enterprise holds all of the U, S, and PP Stamps awarded by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). The "U Stamp" certifies pressure vessel manufacturing, the "S Stamp" certifies power boiler manufacturing, and the "PP Stamp" certifies the assembly and manufacture of pressure piping. The design and manufacturing expertise accumulated in the fields of pressure vessels, piping, and welding, combined with hydrogen storage alloy technology, has provided the foundation for implementing large-capacity storage systems.

Building on its own research capabilities and technology transferred from the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Sungwon Enterprise has developed a 10kg-class solid hydrogen storage system and has also completed a demonstration of a large-capacity 40kg-class system. The company passed the product inspection for gas equipment by the Korea Gas Safety Corporation (KGS), completing safety verification for industrial application. A 10kg-class system has been installed at Korea East-West Power's Donghae Green Hydrogen Demonstration Complex, where operational data is being collected. The company plans to gradually expand storage capacity to 50kg by 2027 and 100kg by 2028. After completing the demonstration for the 100kg-class system, Sungwon Enterprise aims to ramp up investment and marketing to secure its position in the market.

40kg-Class Demonstration... Expanding to Hydrogen Ships, HESS, and Beyond

Sungwon Enterprise sees the versatility and scalability of its solid hydrogen technology as its future competitive strength. Because the company possesses the technology to control both the storage and release of solid hydrogen, it can be applied to a wide range of industries, not limited to any particular field.

Photo of the hydrogen storage alloy device demonstration test site. Sungwon Enterprise

Accordingly, the company plans to expand its applications in the mid- to long-term to include hydrogen-powered ships, offshore wind-linked hydrogen energy storage systems (HESS), industrial hydrogen storage and transportation systems, and hydrogen mobility solutions. In addition, Sungwon Enterprise intends to expand its global network and export base, particularly in Northern Europe and Asia, with the goal of evolving from a specialist shipbuilding equipment manufacturer into a leading green energy company.

CEO Jongtae Jung stated, "As a specialized SME in the materials, parts, and equipment sector during this era of energy transition, we are determined to continue making tangible contributions to the development of the national hydrogen ecosystem."

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