SK Innovation Ulsan CLX to Showcase the Future of Manufacturing AI at WAVE 2026

Demonstrating an AI Value Chain from Data Centers to Manufacturing Sites
Showcasing Technologies for Production Optimization, Predictive Maintenance, and Safety Management
Unveiling the 'Dual Brain' that Combines AI with Engineer Expertise

SK Innovation's Ulsan CLX announced on the 3rd that it will showcase the present and future of manufacturing artificial intelligence (AI) at ‘WAVE 2026 (Ulsan World Future Industry Expo)’, which will be held at the Ulsan Exhibition & Convention Center (UECO) from September 10 to 12, 2026.

WAVE 2026 SK Pavilion bird's-eye view. SK

This exhibition will introduce how SK Group’s AI capabilities—accumulated through its semiconductor and data center operations—are actually applied at real refining and petrochemical manufacturing sites, centering on Ulsan CLX’s ‘Dual Brain’ system.

The Dual Brain is an operational system that combines AI, which supports human decision-making, with the capabilities of Ulsan CLX engineers who have accumulated decades of field experience. By integrating the analytical and judgment abilities of AI with the insights of field experts, the vision is to enhance both productivity and safety.

SK’s pavilion will be the largest among participating companies. The exhibition route begins with a model of the 'SK AI Data Center,' currently under construction in Yongyeon-dong, Nam-gu, Ulsan, by SK Telecom and SK Broadband, and leads into the Ulsan CLX manufacturing AI site. This design aims to demonstrate the value chain of SK’s artificial intelligence connecting the data center to the manufacturing site—all in one space.

At the center of the pavilion, a ‘Dual Brain Portal’ will be installed. Around this focal point, the exhibition will present how AI is applied in areas such as production optimization, predictive maintenance for equipment, and safety, health, and environment (SHE) at real refining and petrochemical sites.

In the production optimization section, visitors will be able to directly adjust operational conditions of a refinery and experience how AI analyzes numerous process variables to discover optimal operating conditions.

The predictive maintenance zone will demonstrate technologies that use AI to predict equipment failures, aging, and lifespan. It will also showcase ‘Physical AI’ technologies that utilize crawler robots, drones, and robot dogs for automated equipment inspections.

In the safety, health, and environment (SHE) section, Ulsan CLX will unveil a safety management system that combines its self-developed real-time video control system ‘SHEild’ with video analysis AI. This system constantly monitors Ulsan CLX, which spans approximately 2.5 million pyeong, analyzes abnormal situations, and supports on-site response efforts.

AI work support programs developed directly by Ulsan CLX engineers will also be on display. The company has promoted the transition to manufacturing AI by operating initiatives such as ‘one person, one task’ and ‘AI Day’ to expand employees’ use of AI. AI start-ups collaborating with Ulsan CLX will also participate in the exhibition.

Hong Kwang-pyo, Executive Vice President of Ulsan CLX, said, “This exhibition will show how SK’s AI capabilities, accumulated through semiconductors and data centers, are bearing fruit in the real-world fields of refining and petrochemicals. Through the Dual Brain, which combines the judgment of AI with the insights of our team, we aim to make Ulsan CLX the leading site for manufacturing AI transformation in Korea.”

Meanwhile, the ‘2026 Ulsan Forum’ will be held at the same venue on September 11, 2026. Industry, academia, and government representatives will discuss the AI transformation of manufacturing, physical AI, and strategies for adopting AI in regional industries.

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