Ecopro HN said it has secured a key technology for commercialising ammonia-powered ships after developing a megawatt-class ammonia engine emissions purification system with HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering and the Korean Register. It said the system uses microwave heating to directly heat the catalyst and precisely control activation temperature, helping minimise fuel consumption and avoid installing separate devices for fossil fuels. The company plans further verification and commercialisation.

Ecopro said on Tuesday it signed a memorandum of understanding with the Foundation for the Promotion of Technoparks and Chungbuk National University’s industry-academic cooperation foundation to support the growth of regional ventures. Under the deal, Ecopro and its affiliates will share technical know-how with venture companies in North Chungcheong and expand an open-innovation model. Ecopro Partners will identify promising firms in the Cheongju special zone, while four affiliates will support technology verification.